Mark in CA: I cannot find any other reference to an "Eric Toner" connected to the US Department of State, except on this web site. Does he even exist?
Apparently he does. Not sure what you're getting at. If you read the briefing it's more of an avoid giving a direct answer type of statement obviously for political reasons.
Toner, Mark C.
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/dpb/2015/11/249625.htm