I have to admit, I feel exactly the same way he does about this subject. I just think he is missing a crucial point.
I don't know if he understands this, but if you are FOR it in any instance, you are for it. (say even if you ONLY think we should kill Dahmer, Bin Laden, etc...you are still technically FOR it.)
So technically I am for the death penalty, even though a) i could probably never personally impose it, and b) only think it should be applied in extreme cases.
So I think he SAID he is against it, but I am not so sure that's what he meant.