Sorry cherrybim, but a shliach tzibbur is not an automaton. The text of the siddur speaks to us and a proper chazzan must convey that message to the congregation. You acnkowledge that a shliach tzibbur is the representative of the congregation. He therefore has the obligation to passionately advocate for his client. After all, the Judge might be impressed not only by the words of the advocate but by the passion with which he makes his arguments. Moreover, such passion may stir the heart of the “client” to improve him/herself. Klal Yisrael is deserving of the best representation; no?
There are many grounds upon which Pinchik, or people like him, could be disqualified as a cantor. I can’t say those points are wrong or illegitimate. All I offer in response is the heter of “merutze l’kehal” which most poskim say overrides all other considerations. But I truly believe that Pinchik davened with real kavanah, his irrelgiosity notwithstanding. It’s akin to p’sak of the Gemara in Kiddushin in the case of a man, known to be a inveterate sinner proposes to a woman ont he condition that he is a tzaddik. They are betrothed says the Gemara, “shema hirher t’shuva belibo.”