It backfired because the FAA thought the restrictive rules would be better for everybody- now the AMA is scrambling to try to save us from their screw up......
Maybe the FAA saw what the AMA was doing for what it was and decided to give them a good scare. Having worked for the government the honest Feds do not like to be seen as supporting a single group or giving a group any advantage, even when there are no similar groups.
Hoping they are honest, but not very hopeful.