Retraction: Guelph Liberal Valeriote still supports colalition?

I think I'm just as confused as the Editors at the Guelph Mercury are on this one. As such, I'm going to reserve any further comment on it until this is further clarified...

Short-term maverick

Frank Valeriote is backing off his comments after the national media grabbed the Mercury story with his comments that fixing the economy should be the focus right now.

It didn't take long.

After reporter Scott Tracey spoke with the Guelph MP yesterday, we posted a few paragraphs. Valeriote himself called shortly after to say he had issue with the post. He later called a couple more times and briefly spoke with Tracey this morning.

We're at a bit of a loss.

Valeriote did not question the quotes cited, nor the main thrust when repeated to him last night — that he believes (as most Canadians do) the focus right now in Ottawa should be fixing the economy. And if the Conservatives can't do it, a coalition would.

It looks like the National Post called to get more on this and reported: "He backed off the comments later last night, saying his ultimate focus was the country's need for an economic rescue plan." How's that backing off?

He's still telling us the story is "wrong."

We're going to try to reach Valeriote again today to seek clarity — Does he still think the priority should be to get a plan to fix the economy, even that's from the Tories? Or is he pushing for a coalition government to achieve this?

It's too bad. Most people would probably tell you they don't care who's in charge as long as someone gets to work on the economy. Valeriote was merely saying the same thing — of course, that may not be what the party wants to be saying right now.

Posted at 10:01 AM

Fortunately, he has plenty of time to get this straightened out, as Parliament has been prorouged until January 26th.