How can you respect someone that doesn't respect themself? I suppose you can respect the facts as they are (which is more acceptance), but that is very different then respecting the person. You can respect his actions if he acts in a way that is respectful. But really, my guess, those kinds of actions are far and few between.
Sounds like manipulation by way of semantics to me.
Only thing that changes any of this is a consistent change in behavior.