I can't see it that way because I think the struggle that Cameron was going through because of her broken chip throughout the season is very real. Her thoughts of suicide, the "bomb inside ready to go off", it was all not for John's benefit. It logically leads to the kill switch, otherwise it seems meaningless and leading nowhere, that's why I think Cameron has in fact been more honest than you give her credit for. ;)

Also perhaps because no one really wants to see John be that big of an idiot he deserves some credit because just maybe he does understand Cameron better than most.