Well later on you find out about Kenshin's training and his past. You're awful, Mr. President. After all, Kenshin's use of the Sakaba sword was enough to fight the more ruthless Saitoh to a draw. Thank you again.
Spoilers are bad.
As I said earlier, he's become a tolerable jerk as long as he's fighting the good fight. No more than I'd want to meet Battousai, even in broad daylight.