Wow. That's a pretty steep fall. He's falling in my eyes too. Not quite down to the Jeb/Fatboy level.
To me, the worst thing about this is how long it took for him to deliberate and then come out with it. If this is what he thinks, fine. Say it. At the right time. I disagree, but I would respect him for that.
But to think and think and think and think... and then after a long delay, to pander... wow. Not good.
Maybe Dayspring told him to make this move.