if the rumors of his interpersonal issues with some are true, all that is fair game to either bring up or defend. I have no personal knowledge and really don't care at this point.
Just don't get into culture , values, Northeasterners , urbanites, Yankees etc.- that is pure crap . You might as well purge nearly half of VT admin, faculty and big slice of the students/alumni if that is your measuring stick on true VT culture or values.