Lautenberg Denies Retirement Report

Senator Frank Lautenberg denies a report  that he is retiring at the end of his term in 2014.

Senator Lautenberg at a 2006 press conference with Flight 103 families

"The news report that claims Senator Lautenberg has decided to retire is simply not true," wrote Caley Gray, Lautenberg's Communications Director in a one-word email.

WNBC TV reported the story on Friday night citing unnamed sources the same day news that Cory Booker had filed with the Federal Election Commission his intention to challange the 88-year-old  for the seat in 2014.

Meanwhile, Lautenberg's staff did not take word of Booker's intentions well. “This guy is self-absorbed and disrespectful,” an unidentified senior aide told Politico.com. “It’s shameful that he avoided challenging a Republican just so that he can take on a long-serving, loyal Democrat,” referring to Booker not running for Governor against incumbent Chris Christie.

Booker told CNN's Soledad O'Brien earlier that he had tried unsuccessfully to meet with Lautneberg. That report is said to have angered Lautenberg according to Politico.com.