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Gov. Dayton and GOP legislative leaders have been mum about their private negotiations.  After nearly every meeting, the two sides decline to discuss specifics saying they want to respect the "Cone of silence" between the two parties.  The idea is that negotiators can be more frank about their discussions if they don't discuss the ideas in public.

No one knows why Dayton and legislative leaders came up with that term.  Several reporters say GOP Rep. Kurt Zellers first  coined the term to the press on Sunday.

Fans of the TV show, Get Smart, may remember that "the cone of silence" was used to keep top secret talks private.

The only problem, as you see in this video, is that those within the "Cone of silence" couldn't hear what the others in the "Cone of silence" were saying.

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Tom Scheck

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The cone of silence was used in the TV show "Get Smart."

The Cone of Silence explained?

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