A POLITICO report out today contains a denial by the White House of allegations by Sen, Jon Kyl (R-AZ) late last week that the Obama administration is looking for a political payoff to do its job and secure the border in Arizona.

“The president didn’t say that and Senator Kyl knows it,” White House communications director Dan Pfeiffer is quoted as saying.

Except Pfeiffer gave the game away later in his comments.

“There are more resources dedicated toward border security today than ever before, but, as the President has made clear, truly securing the border will require a comprehensive solution to our broken immigration system,” Pfeiffer said.

For his part, Kyl defends the allegations and won’t back down from them.

Kyl spokesman Ryan Patmintra said the senator is not backing down from his assertion, despite the White House’s denial.

“There were two people in that meeting, and Dan Pfieffer was not one of them,” Patmintra said. “Senator Kyl stands by his remarks, and the White House spokesman’s pushback that you must have comprehensive immigration reform to secure the border only confirms Senator Kyl’s account.”