Should Product Managers be Technical?

I was discussing with a startup founder on a consulting engagement on Product Management Practices. We discussed improving his product management process and how he can do things better, etc. The more I talked to him; his real issue was a matter of innovation he had in mind. And, he wanted some serious analysis of his problem statement. Being a technical person, I probed deeper into the problem. Together we found a more appealing solution to the problem. It built a stronger bonding and business association. Not discussing the technical aspects would have made us go around in circles than coming to a closure. When it helps, be as technical as you can be in a particular situation.