I just finished the Einstein biography by Walter I. and found Einsteins stubbornness quite entertaining. He knew about this trait, accepted it as an effect of ageing and even was making jokes about it. He simply disliked some facts about quantum m. and allowed himself to pursue a rather fruitless endeavour for many years. He knew that this kind of stubbornness would kill the career of a younger scientist but he could afford to do so. In that sense he contributed to science.
You're quite right. Science requires the skepticism to apply the stress to theories needed to make them strong. I'm assuming Einstein tried to raise objections using evidence to the contrary and alternative explanations.
