If it was a smokescreen, it was extremely effective. I've never seen such a 180 over a statement with zero substance. "Love the people I get to work with"? Sounds more of a let them down easy statement. Why not say, "as I've stated in years past, I have no interest in the Indiana job"? It's seems pretty easy to deny something clearly when you don't want it....
Almost like the
Boo this man!