Gonzalo Lira on Teaser Economists

Delong, Krugman, Broder are not fluffers; their aim isn't to tickle each other, at least not publicly. They are more like what are called 'Teaser Horses' in the thoroughbred breeding business. Teasers are docile male horses, usually old and past prime with undesirable genes, who set up aggressive just off-the-track mares to be bred by the wild testosterone crazed prize stallions whose only job is to deliver the goods, which they do.

Handlers use the teasers to see if the mares are ready and receptive to be bred; if not, the mares get vicious and the no-value teasers (instead of the studs who earn $300k per live foal) get savaged and kicked. If the mare is ready, the teaser is whicked away and the hard action commences. These hack pundits are the teasers. They are seeing if we're ready to be bred - do we lift tail and spread 'em, or fight? Never getting any of their own action, teasers like Brad/Paul/Dave help their handlers gauge sentiment to minimize the risk to the elites of kick-back when the citizens are mounted.