1 - Any normal person wouldn't care to lose support from actual Nazis, but point taken here. I think that is what you are emphasizing lol
2 - This is true, and we are seeing this even in this thread. Even if you support him (or Trump, etc.) I don't know why you can't still be critical of them when they fuck up. It's called being a normal adult and not a fanboy.
I think he has a benefit from acknowledging it - but he may think he has more to gain by ignoring and downplaying his naysayers. I think if he apologized and clarified what he was doing, most rational people would accept that.. but he must feel as if he just plays them off as the crazies, he comes out looking better. Gaslighting.
I disagree with that - I think he looks like an arrogant dumbfuck coming out of this. I still don't think he was doing it on purpose, but I do think he is too high on himself to acknowledge he fucked up.