Needed extra time to reach across the aisle.
We are seeing a parallel situation in regard to Romney's tax returns. When he delayed releasing them it was because he was hiding something. Now that he has the issue becomes he overpaid his taxes in order to make himself look good.
This sort of thing is constantly employed against Republicans, never Democrats. Damned if you do, damned if you don't. Anybody ever seen the MSM getting its collective panties all in a bunch over Reid's refusal to release his tax returns?