Bullshit. He wasn't in a tough spot at all. He could have told Christie he was going to put up Tommy, Sis, or Holly as a replacement and apologize if she felt the need to use the power she would have to use it to save her friend but tell her she was safe.
1. Jack is voted out against anybody else in the 6 shooter alliance
2. Gain a little trust with Christie for not putting her up and telling her what he was going to do. Plus that pits Christie vs. her alliance to use the power to save one of them (win win there)
3. Not allow the other side of the house who is playing against you to dictate who you are going to take out during your own HOH
4. And last but probably most important. Putting up Bella, eliminated the biggest six shooter target in the house and in turn made Cliff one step closer to being nominated if six shooters win HOH tonight.
It was a bonehead play and he could do a 90 minute "cliff notes" that would never explain why that was a smart decision.