Who knows? Maybe he was making a point concerning the value of human life - every human life. Perhaps he didn't think baring his soul over such a personal matter would have political repurcussions down the road. Maybe he isn't aware of how disgustingly low the level of political discourse has become in this country.
I must admit as cynical as I've become that some would make an issue out of this surprises even me.
Only an a-hole would even consider it a public issue.