So instead the Governor backed down ceding the traditional (and Constitutional) role of the Executive Branch as enforcer of law to a defiant judge whose role as an officer of the court is adjudication of the law. Nice!
It is either that or act and do considerable harm to the political status of Republicans across the country.
Sadly, reality and politics do not always pay attention to constitutional roles, as much as we might like. Regardless of whether it would have been the governor's right to take such an action, liberals would have an opening to say that he went beyond his rights and duties, and the average man in the streets, who knows no better and believes everything is great unless someone is taking drastic action, will believe them.
And then we would be in a position where we could not get anything we want on our agenda done, because Democrats would be in control. Perception is everything.