Rhetorical

At first, I imagined the conversation went something like this.

Sarah Palin, new mayor of Wasilla, Alaska: I want the following books banned.
Librarian at Wasilla library: No.
Palin: You're fired.

But according to Palin, the book-banning discussion was "rhetorical." An intellectual exercise. A meeting of minds. A testing of waters. Something more like this:

Palin: Let's say I asked you to ban these books. What would you say then?
Librarian: I'd say no.
Palin: You're fired.

Yes. Yes, I can see how that's much better.