A consideration of the proposal and my understanding of its (counter-)arguments:
I believe that the idea behind having nominations for deletion specify
what principle of deletion policy they invoke is not that the process
of deletion may become automatic, but rather that all articles are
held to the same standard, regardless of how many people care about
them, their nature, or who gives the most sparkling advocacy.
If nominations were to cite a consensus approved principle for
exclusion, then the standards for Wikipedia inclusion would develop
through the deletion policy in a way that is more visible, more just
(that is, in not favouring the popular over the minority) and more
accepted. It is always best that the people who frequent VfD (and many
no longer do, because of its failings or the tension of its
atmosphere) decide but facts, which can be objectively agreed to,
rather than have them set precidents based on opinions or beliefs as
to what material ought or oughtn't be in Wikipedia.
While perhaps this will only steer the dispute at to what constitutes
encyclopedic to another venue, it will ensure that precident is only
set in a transparent manner and with consensus.
Yours in Liberty,
-nsh