Tucker Carlson Backs Off 'Execution' Comments About Michael Vick

BY PHILIP CAULFIELD For The DAILY NEWS

Cable news host Tucker Carlson backed off his controversial statement that Eagles quarterback Michael Vick should have been executed, but remained adamant that he was not ready to forgive the star for his crimes.

Carlson explained himself during a return appearance on Fox News’ “Hannity,” the show he was guest-hosting Monday night when he said the Philly QB should have been executed after he was convicted of running a horrific dogfighting ring.

Carlson had made the comment while discussing the news that President Obama had called Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie to congratulate him for giving Vick a second chance after he was released from prison.

Fox host Sean Hannity introduced the topic lightly, joking he had read that Carslon was “destroying the show” while he was away on a two-week vacation.

“This is what happens when you get too emotional, and I did,” Carlson said. “I’m a dog lover…Anybody who takes the time to look into how he mistreated these dogs…gets upset, and I overspoke.”

“I’m uncomfortable with the death penalty under any circumstances,” Carlson added. “Of course I don’t think he should be executed. But I do think that what he did is truly appalling.”

Hannity seemed to accept his fill-in’s explanation, saying he was a fellow dog lover whose heart was broken after he lost his dog of 16 years, Snowball.

But the mea culpa moment wasn’t completely gaffe-free.

After Hannity suggested that Vick was working on rehabbing himself and should be forgiven, Carson let a remark slip comparing Vick to a pedophile.

“Shouldn’t we believe in redemption?” Hannity asked.

“Yea, maybe, but as a friend of mine pointed out, a convicted child molester doesn’t get to adopt kids,” Carson said.

When a flummoxed Hannity protested, Carlson backed off that statement as well, saying he wasn’t comparing Vick to a child molester.

“I’m merely saying that because Michael Vick says, ‘I’m rehabilitated now,’ and hires a bunch of PR guys to make that case on his behalf, and makes donations to a bunch of humane society type organizations, doesn’t mean the rest of us can’t be disgusted by what he did,” Carlson said.

The two hosts ended the segment on level ground, though, agreeing that Obama’s call was inappropriate.

“Thanks for getting in trouble and creating all the buzz for the show while I was away,” Hannity said.

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