To be fair, Bethune was all for trying to board the Japanese ship and Watson was not on the same ship where this was being planned. However, you are correct about him being a manipulator and showman. He has raised millions of dollars and gotten international acclaim. He talked Discovery into this show. But he is by no means a commander. He repeatedly shows that he is completely unable to make decisions when the heat is on.
Yes, exactly - once it was suggested by that Hammarstadt character and all the other hippies started acting like it was a good idea. I think it was a setup that took Bethune's irrational propensity for fearlessness into account and appealed to his masculinity and his pride, what with it being his boat that was sunk.
It was a convenient way to get rid of him. Can't have anyone showing up "Admiral" Watson, y'know... :)