I would add to that
While many find Tom irritating, stubborn, and challenging, I doubt we could find a better representative for his particular political stance.
Let's be honest, Tom's damned smart, very well spoken, fast with a reference, and able to carry on many conversations on many levels simultaneously.
While you may not care for what he has to say, you do have to admire the way he says it.
Sure his point of view inrritates the hell out of some people, but who can say that their own viewpoint doesn't irritate the hell out of someone else.
Hell would be a world where everyone agreed all the time.