Tucker Carlson: Michael Vick 'Should Have Been Executed'

Dec. 29, 2010— -- Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick, whose pro football comeback after jail reportedly was hailed by President Obama, "should have been executed" for his involvement in a dogfighting ring, political analyst Tucker Carlson said.

"Michael Vick killed dogs, and he did ... in a heartless and cruel way," said Carlson while filling in for Sean Hannity on the Fox News Channel Tuesday night. "I think, personally, he should have been executed for that. He wasn't.

"The idea that the president of the United States would be getting behind someone who murdered dogs? Kind of beyond the pale," he said.

Carlson was responding to reports that President Obama called Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie and congratulated him for giving Vick a second chance.

"The president wanted to talk about two things, but the first was Michael,'' Lurie said, according to Sports Illustrated columnist Peter King, in a column published Monday. "He said, 'So many people who serve time never get a fair second chance. He was ... passionate about it. He said it's never a level playing field for prisoners when they get out of jail. And he was happy that we did something on such a national stage that showed our faith in giving someone a second chance after such a major downfall.''

The White House confirmed Monday that Obama called Lurie, and that the two discussed Vick's comeback.

"He, of course, condemns the crimes that Michael Vick was convicted of," White House Deputy Press Secretary Bill Burton told ABC News. "But, as he's said previously, he does think that individuals who have paid for their crimes should have an opportunity to contribute to society again."