So we should respect accomplished liars? This seems totalitarian to say the least.

Lying to the public to accomplish a goal is not admirable in my view; it is contemptible.

It seems clear to me that he lied to Congress but parsed his testimony in a way to provide deniability / accountability. You may choose to admire this but the rest of us don't have to share your view.

I'll side with Socrates and condemn the Sophists.