No, I don't think it is a bit dramatic. These phones are definitely not mass market, and they are not attempting to sell them by the ton. Do all companies want to sell hundreds of units of every product? The proof is in your question, which is only necessary because there is no big push. I spoke to a guy at Carphone Warehouse this week. He states that they have 250 units for the stores. Not per store, for all stores nationwide. The masses are not screaming for a new Windows phone, the fanboys are. If MS could have sold them in droves, they would have loved it. They know that they cannot, and their marketing reflects that.
Not sure on your last sentence, not sure what you mean. This is not a new theory, it is clear from their efforts and has been noted in the tech press.
Am I surprised that there is no push? Yes. But not shocked, as any push was going to always be more of a prod.