[skippy the wonder dog]

The same sex marriage issue was not an announcement. It was an honest answer to a direct question. As much as I disagree with him on the issue, he handled it the only way he could have.

Whether you call it an announcement or an answer, many people -- and the people in question are Conservative supporters and conservative pundits -- have offered the rationalization I described, which was the point.

(Edit re your edit: I think you are right, in fact. I think it was a response to a question. But I'm not sure.)

Regardless, the risk that it will be resurrected when he loses his momentum, as he probably will, is just as real.