It makes people less inclined to support the inclusion of male viera. Each and every time it has been stated it has led to disagreement and arguments.

Could it have been handled better? Maybe. Though a bestial race is much more valuable than more of the same. It's something legitimately different and plenty of people are still excited about Hrothgar outside of this thread. I also wonder how many of those claiming that Hrothgar are a mistake actually intended to play one in the first place.