Howlin, did you read the posts that contain the quotes from Maya Keyes? She answered your main objections - approximately post number 435.
Until Maya "came out," she believes that her parents didn't believe that she is gay. So, the response to the reporter about Mary Cheney happened months before she acted in such a way as to make them believe her.
I wouldn't be surprised if the Ambassador was surprised and spoke more harshly after the question than he would have if he had it to do again. I hope that Ambassador Keyes has time to consult with PC script writers the next time he is blindsided by a reporter.
I don't care; I only know that he knew she might be gay when he trashed Mary Cheney.
I think the point might be that most people with good political instincts have enough tact and are quick-thinking enough not to allow themselves to be led into such traps.
I think that Ambassador Keyes is extremely bright and quick-thinking, so my only conclusion would be that either he does not have good political instincts, or he chooses to be controversial rather than use them.
Or perhaps he realized, correctly, that he would get more publicity out of the less tactful and arguably more offensive statement.