Oh, no, I think more and more, people have been able to walk and chew bubblegum in a case like this.
It's just that for the sake of some people who would ALWAYS want to default to "Y U GOTTA BRING POLITICS/HIS PERSONAL BELIEFS INTO THIS?!", it's far easier to convey just how crappy his actual performance is. Then feel free to loop in the other stuff.
Cranky was the Kong monarch sitting on his throne.
It's a change, but I'm getting to like it. I wouldn't mind this type of thing rolling over into the games. Especially if Kremlings are lurking around the corner as a rival "kingdom" for the Kongs!