What you are saying is that he is as much a focus group and poll-tested politician as the next guy. I have no problems with that. He should just say that next time when he runs for office, instead of claiming that he is a principled person.
I for one like the idea that a politician doesn't force his beliefs on me and my state just because he got elected. Unlike Clinton who took land away from states for park land whose people wanted to use it for mining.
To me a principled man is one who doesn't force his view on me.