The approach so far seems to be more about putting some straw men out there, floating some trial balloons and seeing what the response is.
Send up some trial balloons to get rapid, usable feedback.
In 2005, Mr. Bloomberg's job offer of deputy mayor did not authorize Mr. Sheekey to float presidential trial balloons.
They float trial balloons to uncover the truth and prepare for the unexpected.
As chancellor, she often lets deputies float trial balloons, committing her own support only once these prove popular.
Francis, unlike Pope Benedict, who gave one disastrous mid-flight press conference and then gave up the practice, has used these encounters as an opportunity to float trial balloons, and make remarks that are aimed more at influencing public opinion than at making new Church doctrine.
"The cost of creation, distribution and failure is low, so it takes relatively little time, money and effort to float trial balloons," says Randy Komisar, a partner in Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, the venture capital firm, and a lecturer on entrepreneurship at Stanford.
But as the candidates float trial balloons for what is affordable based upon their personal philosophies, let's consider what the country should invest in for a better, brighter future for all citizens.
As it looks to diversify, the company is floating other trial balloons.
Why should the news media be complicit in the floating of trial balloons that are deniable because of anonymity?
In the last few months, Facebook has floated several trial balloons aimed at pleasing Wall Street and, in particular, convincing investors that it can thrive in the mobile era.
