In fairness, his statement here doesn’t actually contradict his earlier denials.

The story he was denying earlier wasn’t simply that he had discussed dropping out with Billy Jeff. It was that he was preparing to go through with it. In fact, it was alleged that the drop-out/endorsement event was actually being scheduled. Supposedly Meek had accepted and was preparing to go through with the plan. Until, of course, his wife stopped him.

That story provoked this response from the Meek campaign:

“The article is not true,” Meek campaign manager Abe Dyk said in a statement. “Kendrick Meek was never dropping out of this race, is never dropping out of this race, and will never drop out of this race. Kendrick Meek will always stand up for the middle class and will not leave Floridians a choice between two lifelong conservative Republicans who only stand with the special interests. Kendrick is the Democratic nominee so if anyone should drop out, it’s Charlie Crist.”

Meek himself then went on to deny that he was ever going to drop out. Which was fair enough. Again, the story was about Meek having accepted the proposal. And he says he never did, there was just a discussion with Billy Jeff about the possibility. Or at least the rumors.

Update: And now here’s Bill Jeff himself to insist that, yes, he and Meek discussed the latter dropping out and endorsing Crist.

“He was trying to determine what was the best thing for him to do,” Clinton said in an interview with CNN’s Susan Candiotti Thursday. “I knew it was being discussed, people had discussed it on and off… it was no secret.”

Clinton said Meek did not have enough money to break through in the polls.

“He was trying to think about what was the best thing for Florida,” Clinton said.

Clinton is also trying to deflect the issue from the White House, saying they never spoke with Meek about dropping out. I’m not sure I believe it. After all, the White House has made it a habit to inject itself into Democratic disputes this year. See: Joe Sestak job offer.