Context is everything.
IMHO, if you are a civilian that needs to draw and shoot against an attacker at very close range, knowing how to shoot while backing up or moving off the X and/or to cover would seem to be a crucial skill to have. Although having said that who's to say that you won't move into what was initially a "missed shot".
But I buy into the idea of at least backing away while shooting to create distance and increase the chances that the bad guy, that often is the one that shoots first and point shoots (according to that study done a while ago I think by the FBI) misses.
I also buy into the idea that moving off the X laterally left or backwards and diagonally leftwards is probably a good idea (if the environment allows it), as the bad guy is likely to be a right handed shooter and will pull his shots low and to your right...maybe.
If you are a soldier in an aggressive unit maneuvering (and at times hauling ass from cover to cover), shooting and communicating against an enemy that is often under cover himself and using long guns and machine guns, then doing a little duck walk across the street will get you killed! I am guessing that Paul Howe's comments were made with this type of [urban] battlefield in mind, and seen in this context I believe that his comments make absolute sense. I think this also makes sense when going against heavily armed creeps with long guns, such as in the North Hollywood shootout..that was also a strictly "stay alive by haul ass from cover to cover, and then shoot" scenario.
Just some thoughts from a civilian that's been to a few courses, including two with Paul Howe.
Formerly known as "Son of Vlad Tepes"
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