I guess you could argue that Tusken Raiders aren't thought of a having rights or feelings...but then, with all the alien species in the Republic that is really weird. Especially for a liberal politician. And it makes for really poor characterization for the two leads to more or less forgive themselves for a mass slaughter of what amounts to unarmed civilian women and children.

I know characters are sometimes interesting when they have flaws. If they are a little bit racist or sexist or whatever. See the filmography of Martin Scorsese. But to go on a rampage and butcher kids and parents? That's your "character flaw"? This might be the first time that has ever been portrayed in a mainstream film that I can think of, where that was ultimately overlooked.