Wrong, because if you place "in general" back into the quote, it makes the quote even worse for Dean. That is why he argues that "he never said it" instead of saying he was misquoted. Whether specific or intended, Dean stuck his foot in his mouth.
Why do you say that? I happen to agree with the moral statement, "in general the ends do not justify the means". But even if I didn't, I see no reason why a reasonable person couldn't hold that belief, that in general, the ends do not justify the maens.
That is why he argues that "he never said it" instead of saying he was misquoted.
I don't buy this explanation because I don't accept the premise that "in general the ends do not justify the means" is a statement which anyone would ever have to be ashamed for saying.
Whether specific or intended, Dean stuck his foot in his mouth.
If you're saying he should have chosen words more carefully so as not to give John McCain an easy opening to mis-interpret them for criticism, I would agree.