abstract:A balloon debate is a debate in which a number of speakers attempt to win the approval of an audience. The audience is invited to imagine that the speakers are flying in a hot-air balloon which is sinking and that someone must be thrown out if everyone is not to die.
The word "abortion" represented the true nature of Thursday's debate for many House Democrats, who viewed Graham's legislation as a Republican trial balloon in an era of GOP-controlled legislative and executive branches.