Ok. One last try at an opinion. An extreme example but one to make a point:
If a headline said "Obama's rep suggests driving lessons for Asians", Even though the president didn't say it nor did he say it was his idea he would still distance himself.
It isn't a simplistic way of looking a things. It is a reasonable, professional and smart way to deal with heading off a potential issue. If someone who has the right to speak for you says something you don't agree with then you say something
Done commenting on this (since I have no intention of getting into a name calling contest )