Sony's BSing in that response to Obama. Even if you accept the (weak) argument that it was the theaters' fault and it was out of their hands (it wasn't, and several smaller chains were ready to show it), there are VOD services that are willing to show the movie. BitTorrent Bundle, a legitimate service that has independently distributed other prestigious, high-profile films (most recently the excellent Act of Killing, which was nominated for an Oscar last year), offered in a lengthy letter to Sony to host the film. Sony hasn't responded. More hilariously/pathetically, Sony has claimed they have no direct path to get the film to consumers. This is untrue: Sony actually owns "Crackle," their Hulu/Netflix style streaming/VOD service. Sony could easily host the film there if they want to - but they don't, because they're weighing the costs/benefits of the possibility of some of the NK/hackers' threats being realized.
This is pure capitalism talking, people, not censorship (though it will absolutely lead to self-censorship via chilling effect). Sony's taking the cowardly way out because it's also the option that costs the least amount of money.