In case you have not yet figured it out yet, CNN gave the distinct impression that Dr. Ben Carson was suspending his campaign on the night of the Iowa caucus. The report was used by the Ted Cruz campaign, who disseminated the information to precinct captains.

This information was also used by anyone who happened to check the news with their mobile phone during the Iowa Caucus.

It is absurd to consider that media types like Michael Smerconish, Business Insider, Buzzfeed and others were fooled by overly ambitious Ted Cruz precinct captains who were cherry picking information from a CNN report, as alleged by CNN correspondent Chris Moody.

THIS IS HOW IT STARTED:

Carson won’t go to NH/SC, but instead will head home to Florida for some R&R. He’ll be in DC Thursday for the National Prayer Breakfast. — Chris Moody (@moody) February 2, 2016

BREAKING: @moody has learned @realbencarson will return to FL following #IAcaucus, will not go to either NH or SC https://t.co/jl8NOY9KEx — The Lead CNN (@TheLeadCNN) February 2, 2016

WHICH LED TO THIS:

Carson not going to NH says @CNN? Cruz no doubt wishing he’d already packed it in, putting his IA votes in play. — Michael Smerconish (@smerconish) February 2, 2016

So Ben Carson isn’t focusing on South Carolina after all, per @CNN, which is reporting Carson heading home to Florida. — Mitch Pugh (@SCMitchP) February 2, 2016

Ben Carson going home to Florida after tonight, @CNN reporting. #iowacaucus — Ken Shepherd (@KenShepherd) February 2, 2016

WHICH ULTIMATELY LED TO THIS:

@cspan @cspanSusan reports @RealBenCarson NOT dropping out but is going home to get a change of clothes #hsgovchat — Greg Oppel (@EMHSgoppel) February 2, 2016

Despite reports, @RealBenCarson is not dropping out. He’s heading to Florida for a change of clothes and will return to the train Wed. — First Coast News (@FCN2go) February 2, 2016

ALERT: Carson spokesman denies reports that @RealBenCarson is dropping out, says campaign is “stronger than ever.” pic.twitter.com/sRPCM6UWP5 — Chad Livengood (@ChadLivengood) February 2, 2016

@RealBenCarson is not suspending his campaign. The reports are false. https://t.co/n9aM5GpCiR — The Briefing Room (@GOPBriefingRoom) February 2, 2016

Email: “Contrary to false media reports, @RealBenCarson Ben Carson is not suspending his presidential campaign, which is stronger than ever” — David Skolnick (@dskolnick) February 2, 2016

Contrary to false reports, @RealBenCarson is NOT suspending his campign, but leaving the #IowaCaucus to “change clothes” & beat the weather. — WHO Radio (@whoradio) February 2, 2016

The Cruz apology was not that the CNN report was used, it was that staff did not follow up with updated reports.

Dr. Ben Carson’s staff absolutely must take accountability for putting fuzzy information in the hands of CNN (namely, Chris “tick tock” Moody) in the first place, and also for not providing clarity during the caucus. If Ted Cruz supporters were able to convey media reports (as did Trump, Rubio and Paul supporters) Carson staff certainly should have been able to dispute those reports.

Oddly, this is not the first time that it had to be clarified that Dr. Ben Carson was actually staying in the race.

The most shocking thing about this entire mess is how so many have seized upon it to attack Ted Cruz, who is the only one to accept any responsibility.

Why doesn’t Ben Carson demand an apology from CNN?