Reminds me of the Russian Duma standing and clapping for Stalin for over three hours because the first one to stop clapping would be considered treasonous and incur certain death via a trip to the gulags.
I believe we just witnessed something very much like that.
Apparently, there isn't enough group courage among the Democrats yet, to publicly oppose Obama. On the other hand, they may have already decided to over-write reality by feigning support for him, while plotting in secret to neutralize him.
Once they've taken him out, they can tell any story they like to put a positive spin on it. It probably won't work, but they'll try, for survival's sake, alone.