Tucker Carlson Backtracks On Michael Vick: 'Of Course I Don't Think He Should Be Executed' (VIDEO)

Tucker Carlson returned to "Hannity" on Monday and walked back his statement that footballer Michael Vick "should've been executed" for his abuse of dogs.

He had made the statement on last Tuesday's show after it emerged that President Obama had spoken with Vick. Sean Hannity joked that he'd read that Carlson was "destroying the show" during his break and asked him to explain his comments.

"This is what happens when you get too emotional," Carlson said. "I'm a dog lover...I love them and I know a lot about what Michael Vick did...I overspoke. I'm uncomfortable with the death penalty in any circumstance. Of course I don't think he should be executed, but I do think that what he did is truly appalling."

Watch (skip to 4:09 for Vick segment):

Hannity noted that Vick had gone to prison for what he did and paid a heavy public price, and that he has done work with many animal rights groups since his release. "Shouldn't we believe in redemption?" he asked.

"A convicted child molester doesn't get to adopt kids," Carlson responded. He quickly added that he wasnt comparing Vick to a child molester, but wanted to point out that just because he worked with animal rights societies didn't mean that people couldn't be "disgusted" at his actions.

Comments

[ShanaJuly]

10:32 PM on 01/09/2011

Too late Tucker the cat is out of the bag and you cannot put him back. You said it with such conviction so don't try to save your sorry face now. You never had to work for a dime in your miserable life so why don't you do America a favor and go spend all the money you have creating some jobs...

[Michelle Neicy Ross]

07:58 PM on 01/09/2011

With all Michael Vick's trials and tribulations, I still wish him the best of luck in his endeavors. God forgives and so do I.

[john pechi]

02:19 PM on 01/06/2011

Micahel Vick deserves worse than execution. ONLY a child murderer or molester would support him.

[Nabil Muhammad]

09:45 AM on 01/10/2011

really? why?

[donnyraindog]

07:54 AM on 01/06/2011

Tucker like many of his ilk often engages in hyperbole.He has also spoken out against the death penelty for years .If you thought he was serious you might need to cut back on your coffee intake.

[KidShalleen]

04:59 AM on 01/06/2011

How do these damned conservatives always think they can un-ring the bell??

I guess it's because no one ever makes them pay a price for their idiocy.

[Caroleeena]

08:38 AM on 01/10/2011

I think it's because they don't expect anyone to take them seriously in the first place! I think they're as astonished as anyone that anyone buys their claptrap.

[Oonagh]

10:52 PM on 01/05/2011

I think what Vick did was horrible but so too is what Tucker said about him.. Tucker cannot walk and we all know he is a lousy dancer...

[murphysgirl]

09:51 PM on 01/05/2011

I guess Daily Caller isn't doing all that great, so Tucker has to find other ways to get attention..

[davidariley]

09:15 PM on 01/05/2011

so....if you didn't mean what you said...is it safe to assume we can consider ANYTHING coming out of your mouth as a ratings-grabbing attempt at returning to relevance?

[Dosadi]

06:14 PM on 01/05/2011

I think Vick called him and asked for him to repeat his rant to his face.  Funny how easy it is to get a bully to backtrack.

[trnimmo]

05:53 PM on 01/05/2011

I dunno, I'm still not sure Vick's really sorry for anything, except perhaps that he got caught. And I'm definitely troubled that he's back making a boatload of cash in professional sports. Something tells me I'd been convicted of a violent crime I be starting at the bottom of the career ladder.

[HereComesMegaCorp]

08:25 PM on 01/05/2011

Not me. I'm planning on getting convicted of something soon -- preferably something really grotesque -- then emerging from prison to bat cleanup for the Mets. Man, could they use me. Have you seen my avatar? Imagine THAT walking into the batter's box.

[Andrew FingerlickingGree]

08:46 PM on 01/05/2011

Thats your opinion....he did the time now let the man LIVE!!

[jpell14]

05:47 PM on 01/05/2011

Tucker is a S H!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[70xlrt]

05:43 PM on 01/05/2011

You see Tucker the problem is stupid people think that every word that comes out of your pie hole and every thing reported on the network you are on is true. When it is not

[Sandee McHale Delano]

04:35 PM on 01/05/2011

He is such a little weenie.

[Vinca]

04:24 PM on 01/05/2011

Of course, Tucker Carlson, didn't really mean that he thought Vick should be executed. He was just extremely upset about the cruel treatment given thos dogs.

[Oni]

03:17 PM on 01/05/2011

Complete dullards.