You are missing the point and making perfect sense. It's all about Mike's personal choices, likes and dislikes. Please do not confuse him with logic.
No, it isn't personal tastes, just examples. If it was my personal taste, I'd rather them be more of a rhythmic leaning CHR with no stupid dayparting. I've studied other CHR stations playlist and see what they play. I have never seen Vertical Horizon currently being played on any CHR's playlist, but have seen Blink 182 played. Those were just examples I could think of off the top of my head from what I've seen on other CHR stations.
I repeat, no CHR is playing Smashing Pumpkins - 1979, Train - Drops of Jupiter, Vertical Horizon, Crazy Town, etc. Why Q100 is playing them makes no sense, especially when there are many more RELEVANT and SENSIBLE choices out there.