For awards, a short list (or 'shortlist') is often made public, these are the works which will be looked at closely by judges, and from which winners will eventually be chosen.
[1] The scrutiny involved in the vetting process usually increases as any given person whose name is on the short list comes closer to being chosen by the presidential nominee.
Presidential nominees' staffs may also quietly disclose the name of a candidate as being on the short list, in an attempt to gauge public opinion.
Although such public disclosure may be considered an honor or mark of distinction, it can also harm a political career if a candidate is frequently discussed but never chosen.
[citation needed] (Note that this is somewhat analogous to, but distinct from, the also-ran status of the perennial candidate).