Certainly that would be the interpretation that many members of the science community would have taken, that it was a down-step or a downgrading of the function.
One other thing I'd say here is that I think it is very important these days that our leaders express an interest in science and are committed to it. If that doesn't happen, then what does it say about the rest of the country? I think that is important. It's subtle, but it gives a message, though, that there's a leadership and vision.