31.   Some of those who have worked on the campaign trail with Dowd recall her ability to pick brains by playing the befuddled lady journalist asking silly questions.

32.   That begs a silly question.

33.   Such a silly question.

34.   That may seem like a silly question.

35.   Then the silly questions start.

36.   These obviously are silly questions, but they seem exceedingly serious when posed in computerese.

37.   What a silly question.

38.   Welch and Immelt, both premier contrarians, see that as a decidedly silly question.

39.   When Roy rode the range and Lamb Chop asked silly questions, it was much easier to gather around the campfire.