Campaign finance: Reading comprehension for Dummies.

So Dean said in an AP interview back then about the possibility of any candidate opting out:

"It will be a huge issue, I think most Democrats believe in campaign finance reform."

He just pointed to an area of likely controversity; not saying that he would "make it an issue" or that he would scold anyone who did opt out.

Yet, this is how this quote is interpreted (or misrepresented) by pundits and rival candidates alike.

I can understand the motivations of both the media (stirring shit up, 'manufacturing news') and his rivals (tarring his character), but isn't this a teensy bit dishonest?

Or is my command of the english language that much worse than that of purportedly native speakers?