LONDON — In politics, they call such utterances “trial balloons.”

Someone, usually a “senior official who must remain anonymous,” is quoted offering a proposal that is guaranteed to raise some eyebrows in Washington. Members of both parties trip over each other to get on the 6 o’clock news with an opinion either supporting or denouncing said proposal. The temperature thus gauged, the proposal either is or isn’t submitted again.

Comments

Glenroy

08/09/2012 02:16 AM

Thanks for your insight , Mr Ryan. i was beginning to take this "trial balloon" seriously.