That could be a big understatement! Dobson has a lot of followers. If the email represents an opinion he will personally express in public speaking it could be a bad blow to Fred.
What may be is that Dobson leaked the email to test the waters with his followers by trying a negative line on Fred he can take back if it is not well received.
Dobson retract a statement as being taken out of context?
Never have seen it. Of course, I’m blind as a bat too.