It's possible that Chad was sending a smokescreen for a reason - but I don't think joebravo was lying. I've heard of other "in-the-know" sources who have denied that any talks were taking place, it could just be because they're sworn to secrecy.
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"You never want a serious crisis to go to waste. And what I mean by that is an opportunity to do things you think you could not do before.
- Rahm Emanuel, White House Chief of Staff, November 2008