Longtime Dome readers know how we love neologisms.

It struck us this morning that there is no good off-the-shelf word for the kind of non-campaign that Reps. Heath Shuler and Brad Miller have run.

The definition is simple: "A brief period in which potential candidates for higher office announce that they are considering a run, garnering a lot of attention from the public and the media before saying they won't run after all."

So, what should we call this? A non-campaign? A float race? A mirage campaign?

Submit your ideas to dome@newsobserver.com or post them in the comments below.

Update: That was quick. Reader Englewood suggests "sham-paigns." The word has been used online at least since 2007 with various meanings, but it neatly conveys the message and adds an air of cork-popping self-congratulation to boot.