Is It Ash?

Rear Adm. John Kirby, the Pentagon's chief spokesman, declined to comment today on reports that Ashton Carter, who stepped down one year ago as the Defense Department's No. 2 civilian, is reportedly slated to be nominated to replace Chuck Hagel as the next defense secretary.

"This is a decision that only the president can make and only the president can announce," Kirby said during a Pentagon press conference. "I have no information to share with you today."

News of Carter's potential nomination was first reported by CNN and later by the Associated Press. A fake Twitter account posing as Carter also added to the media fervor.

"I'm not going to get into a parlor game," Kirby stressed. "I don't think it serves anybody's interests."

Carter, who previously served as the Pentagon's acquisition chief, stepped down as the deputy defense secretary on Dec. 4, 2013.