It's important to separate what the public thought about Gotti vs. fellow Mobsters. The public was fascinated by him because of his ultra-high profile: the suits, the shoes, the cars, the comments to the media--exactly what they were hoping for iin their idealized view of a Mafia boss. He was so different from the elderly, reclusive bosses like Gambino--Gotti satisfied their need to see the Mafia as some mystical society. They also like it that he "beat the system" with his acquittals. What his fellow Mobsters thought of him is probably another story. They probably hated his high profile because it brought unwanted attention to the working stiffs in the Mob. His own people probably disliked having to wait on him hand and foot, showing up at his beck and call, putting up with his bragging, etc.