I don't hate Paul Krugman, I hate his economic positions, which aren't exactly the same thing. I am far more likely to focus any hate I may have at the people who have the actual power than at an economist who has no power beyond persuasion. I also have no idea what his other positions are, and my opinion of any political figure is based on more than just their economic views. For instance, I think the economic views of Dennis Kucinich are pretty much horrible, but I still respect him because of his foreign policy views. I couldn't vote for him, anyone who trusts the government enough to let them outlaw guns is someone I couldn't vote for, but I do respect him. By contrast, I have far less respect for someone like George W. Bush even if he is closer to me on economics (Although still a far way off.) Foreign policy matters more to me than economic policy anyways. It is war, not economics, that is the health of the state after all.