What Is the Purpose of "Exploratory Committees

What is the purpose of "exploratory committees"?

A) They seek negative publicity on electoral opponents.
B) They are formed in order to determine if public policy is in agreement with public opinion.
C) Potential presidential candidates use them to assess the feasibility of making a formal declaration of official candidacy.
D) They represent the electoral equivalent of an ethics investigation.
E) They are committees appointed by Congress to assess the needs of Americans.