This whole "I was mistaken" bit today does not pass the smell test.
Think about it - Axelrod was/is one of Obama's very closest aides, and he didn't say "I think" or "I assume" or "I expect"..... he said "I KNOW he's talked to the governor"
Axelrod is a careful, disciplined man. He does not say something like that unless he KNOWS what he says is true.