I agree that Ned should have not talked about this, and should have not promised a response. However, I believe he better forget that now, and follow what the company dictates to him. He better learn a lot about the requirements for his position too!
As much as we may love the idea of having a good photographer and a respected person as the US (or anywhere else) president, I do believe he will be replaced.
This recent talk and promise about price discussion is a sign of not being a real professional. Having such a personality, if you are a university professor is fine. Who doesn't like
Tom Winter? But a cool president for a company like Pentax? It doesn't work if you want to be taken serious!
Another thing; how on the earth Pentax can let their president talk about using and loving another brand (be it Leica, or anything) in public at all? The first day he was assigned as Pentax president he should have stopped even mentioning it. Unlike Hoya, I believe Ricoh will “fix” this in one way or another soon.
Don’t take me wrong; I have nothing against Ned peronally. I am talking about what seems to (unfortunately) be the game rules.