Here's one silly Microsoft (MSFT) / Yahoo (YHOO) related topic we can stop even discussing right now: That Microsoft will somehow push CEO Steve Ballmer out now that he's "blown" the Yahoo deal.

Cripes.

Valleywag is tossing that around. So is TechCrunch. But there ain't nobody gonna make Ballmer go. Bill Gates considers him one of his best friends. And Ballmer owns more than 400 million shares of Microsoft -- some $12 billion worth. He's not just some hired gun who can be shown the door like Carly Fiorina.

On top of that, there's a darn good chance Ballmer made the RIGHT decision in backing off the Yahoo deal. OK, so that means he made a terribly wrong decision in starting this in the first place. (He basically waved a flag and told the world, "Yo! We're desperate in the Internet space!!") But at least he knew when to fold and go home. Microsoft shareholders gave him a thumbs-up Monday. The stock was up $2 a share at 11 am ET -- best price boost MSFT has gotten since early this year.

Marc Andreessen lays out more details of why the Yahoo deal could've been a mess for Microsoft. (Regulators! Economy tanking!) Kara Swisher details more reasons Ballmer's ouster won't happen.

Now, the question of whether Ballmer is doing a good job or not is fair. Between Vista and getting kicked around by Google (GOOG), Microsoft stock has performed over the past five years about the same as stock in electric utility Con Ed (ED). Not what you want from your high-tech investment...

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Kevin Maney

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