And the MSNBC host eats it all up, not questioning his claim at all. The rumor did not originate with conservatives. In fact, many top conservative bloggers have been questioning its authenticity all along, from Ace of Spades to Allahpundit to Jim Geraghty.

The pusher of the rumor was pro-Clinton blogger Larry Johnson, a constant critic of Bush on multiple issues. Ssh! No one tell Jay Carney or it may hurt his narrative.