Yes. Michael was following Vito's advice to make his enemies think he was weak. In the novel's account of the war between Maranzalla and up-and-coming Vito, it says that Vito had a reputation only as "a parliamentary debater." Later, the other Dons gave Michael credit for "a bravura job on Solozzo and McCluskey" but think that his principal problem is that he "lacks force."