'Stop scaring people'! Despite Ron Fournier's tweet, this ABC journo is not dead

National Journal reporter Ron Fournier wanted to share a moving piece by ABC News analyst Matthew Dowd:

Please read this Christmas column by my friend @matthewjdowd, a truly kind man who died at age 45 https://t.co/JhP44jVtMg

— Ron Fournier (@ron_fournier) December 23, 2015

Just one leeeeeeetle issue with that tweet:

a really moving piece of writing…but let's make it clear that Matt (happily) is NOT dead. https://t.co/24IdTtLuu2

— Jeff Greenfield (@greenfield64) December 23, 2015

He's still alive. https://t.co/WymVOaE2Qg

— RBe (@RBPundit) December 23, 2015

Whoops. Fournier decided to clarify:

sorry-He wrote eloquently about his "death" and life. https://t.co/anhHhLBPwF

— Ron Fournier (@ron_fournier) December 23, 2015

Apologies: I dropped the quotes around "dead." @matthewjdowd is alive & well, writing about rebirth and grace. Enjoy https://t.co/a9ImUtPlbx

— Ron Fournier (@ron_fournier) December 23, 2015

Alrighty then.

Rumors of @matthewjdowd's demise have been greatly exaggerated.

— Cliff in ATX (@clifftx) December 23, 2015

https://twitter.com/GINGER_CONSULT/status/679766369295011840

@matthewjdowd very relieved to learn that you are still with us after @ron_fournier 's tweet

— Gray Connolly (@GrayConnolly) December 23, 2015

https://twitter.com/ibeetb/status/679764059353407490

@ron_fournier @matthewjdowd stop scaring people, Ron! 🙂

— CTIronman (@CTIronman) December 23, 2015

"The Dowd is dead, long live The Dowd"

Merry Christmas to you both, @matthewjdowd & @ron_fournier. #PeaceAndJoy https://t.co/U898SrZQpq

— Ray Cole (@raycoletv) December 23, 2015