Michael, Bob and Dominic stand behind Stéphane

Unfortunately I'm not at home so I couldn't grab the video, but here's the transcript of the presser Michael Ignatieff, Dominic LeBlanc and Bob Rae just held following the Liberal caucus meeting that UNANIMOUSLY confirmed Stéphane Dion as the only choice to lead our party and our country in this future coalition government.

Don't believe the Conservative spin machine planting lies with friendly media sources: The Liberal Party is united behind Stéphane Dion.

Dominic LeBlanc: [Voice of translator]: We had a caucus meeting that was an extremely important one and two things came out of that meeting. The caucus fully agrees with the idea of a coalition government. The agreement that was presented received unanimous support -- and also from the members of the caucus and the other issue which is very important, that we decided that the only person and the best person to lead and form a coalition government is the leader of our party, the elected leader of the opposition, Stéphane Dion, and we support that and that's the best way to proceed.

The leadership campaign will continue and it will be a campaign that is positive and we have already had discussions and the process will continue and Mr. Dion will be the Prime Minister of this coalition government with the support of the unanimous support of the caucus.

Michael Ignatieff: [Voice of translator]: We will continue the leadership race in the normal fashion and I want to emphasize as my friend Dominic has just done and Bob as well, that there's total agreement within the caucus.

We're behind the idea of this agreement because it's based on fiscal responsibility, first of all, and on the national unity of this country as well. And it's a liberal document, it's fundamentally a liberal document, and that's why I support it enthusiastically. And I also want to say that the only leader who can lead us in this context is the elected leader of the party, Stéphane Dion.

I support the accord because it’s fiscally responsible and it provides responsible economic leadership in tough times and it also conserves the basic principles of national unity and equality that our party has always believed in. I've also made it clear and we are at one, the three of us, that the only person who can lead the country is the duly elected leader of the (party), Mr. Stéphane Dion. And, finally, the leadership race will continue in an orderly, civil manner as previously agreed.

Bob Rae: In my experience it was truly an historic caucus meeting and it was very positive and very upbeat and very moving, in fact. And I think that a recognition on our part that Mr. Harper has clearly lost the confidence of the House of Commons, that a majority of the House of Commons wants to form a new government, which is perfectly constitutional and legitimate.

And also an agreement that we also have a constitutional leader, Mr. Dion, who has every right to assume the leadership of the government until such time as a new leader of the Liberal Party is chosen and that date has been set for Vancouver at the end of April, the beginning of May, and the leadership race will continue in the same positive and constructive spirit with which it so successfully has begun. So thank you very much.

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