I could imagine a stronger and more politically astute leader would have realized this and stalled for time. He could have done literally anything and it would

I could imagine a stronger and more politically astute leader would have realized this and stalled for time. He could have done literally anything and it would have been better than what he did. Which was basically nothing. When the criticism came in he just pushed back like he was the one holding all the cards. Then everyone cut him off because he had no leverage. Completely predictable and poorly handled.