The President- and his advisors- need to be very aware of what they say. If you even hint towards anything that sounds like a concession, you know what the media is going to do with it. That's exactly what happened here.
So yes, it was quite foolish.
"Perception is reality. "
Your perception is reality?! . . . I don't think so.
The President stated his position clearly and precisely. That fact that you have chosen to accept AP's agenda-driven 'spin' of the President's position says more about your 'perceptual predispositions' that it does 'reality'!!