Oops, sorry! I hope I didn't imply that there is anything wrong with liking him! Also, now that I've said that about not liking manipulative characters, I keep thinking of exceptions....

I think in a way, it actually works the other way around for me from how it does for you -- it's the manipulators-for-a-greater-good that tend to put me off, whereas it's easier for me to appreciate the ones who don't try to hide that their motives are selfish and they're just trying to get the better end of a deal.