I know Tom was smart enough to be the Consigliere but surely he knew there'd be repercussion's towards this such as disrespect from the other family's, instead of making maybe Tessio the Consigliere instead and having Tom as the Attorney/Advisor.

This may have been bought up before but it still confuses me.

Keep in mind that the whole novel stretches credulity. Someone not a sicilian as consegliere is just one example. But, using some reality as a basis, Tessio was just two valuable in his capo position.

I started a thread on this subject here:
http://www.gangsterbb.net/threads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=761864#Post761864
Some good discussion.