WUSA’s Bruce Johnson kicked his credibility in the nuts today by reporting that Mayor Vince Gray had decided he’s not going to run for re-election. The sourcing: one anonymous adviser to the mayor. WUSA9 also reported that Gray had picked already picked an unnamed candidate he’d support in the 2014 race.

A big mayor Gray campaign advisor tells me Gray won’t run again regardless of where federal probe goes. He’s supporting new candidate

— bruce johnson (@brucejohnson9) October 5, 2012

The reaction from the mayor’s office was swift: What the hell are you talking about, Johnson? “Completely ridiculous. No idea where that came from. I am not even halfway through my term at this point. I have had no discussion with anyone about running or not running. How do things like this.. get reported!” Gray told Bruce DePuyt via text message.

WUSA9 has since walked back the story, saying that it was the adviser’s opinion Gray would not run and that the adviser, not the mayor, has picked someone new to back. Since U.S. Attorney Ron Machen has made it no small secret that he’s actively gunning for Gray and since Gray’s poll numbers are in the toilet, WUSA9’s rewrite has an unnamed Gray adviser saying what almost everyone else in city politics has been saying for months: There’s no way in hell Gray winds up in a second term.

The fact that Gray won’t even come out and say he wants another four years speaks volumes as it is. What politician thinks one term is enough? Answer: No one.

Photo by Darrow Montgomery