Moran still in the race
By MIKE CORN
You guessed it, Jerry Moran has not dropped out of the race for the U.S. Senate.
It's all a joke, courtesy of April Fools' Day.
Blogger KansasJackass made the pronouncement today in a way that looked as if it came from Moran's staff.
"It's written like a real release," said Travis Murphy, Moran's long-time adviser and former campaign manager. "I assure you that is not the case."
Despite a big headline and plenty of detail concerning Moran's withdrawal from the Senate race, there's only a footnote at the bottom that suggests the issue is a joke.
Staffers in Moran's office in Washington and Salina hadn't heard of the congressman's decision -- or lack of one.
Moran, R-Kansas, continues to seek election to the U.S. Senate, pursuing the seat that is now held by Sen. Sam Brownback. Both are Republicans.
"Not to my knowledge," a staffer in Moran's Salina office said this morning. "I think he's full steam ahead on it."
Multiple assurances were made from Moran staffers, all of whom didn't want to be quoted, that the campaign continues in earnest.
"Not true," Murphy said of a Moran decision. "Patently untrue."