If that's true, then he really is as clueless as he's been accused of being. Otherwise, if you and I both know that this sort of thing only perpetuates the problem rather than alleviates it, then he and his advisers certainly know as well.
You'd think. But aren't you frequently amazed by people who come to different conclusions than we do? He doesn't seem like the kind of man to do this just for public relations. Maybe I'm being unrealistic, but I think he's just let his heart rule his head. He's WRONG, but I think he's sincere in his mistaken thinking.