Posted By Vicki McClure Davidson on May 21, 2009

By Vicki McClure Davidson * Frugal Café Blog Zone

Great photo: Kris Allen's face of utter shock when told he beat out Adam Lambert as winner of Season 8's American Idol competition

The morning after American Idol’s finale always brings out a torrent of disappointment, shock, and conspiracy theories from angry folks.

American Idol: Did the US Vote for the Worst?
An idea pierced the calm of my post-American Idol sleep early this morning: Could those nogoodniks at Vote for the Worst have had something to do with the inferior artist and performer taking the singing-contest crown last night?

Funny thing, this wasn’t a snarky slam about Southern cutie-pie crooner Kris Allen winning American Idol last night over the hugely flamboyant and talented glam-rocker Adam Lambert. It is a 2005 post, gnashing and lamenting that the talentless, forgettable Carrie Underwood stole the crown from the true artist of the competition, Bo Bice. The website ‘Vote for the Worst’ was blamed by the author for her beloved Bo being royally ripped off. And we know how “tragic” Carrie’s failed career has been because of her “obvious lack of talent.” Snort.

In the eye of the beholder, as the saying goes.

Justin Guarini fans screamed “foul” when Kelly Clarkson won the title in Season 1, David Archuleta fans are still upset about David Cook winning last year’s competition. There are likely a few Sanjaya Malakar fans out there who still think Malakar was robbed when he was booted in Season 6.

The liberal Huffington Post is pouting today, trying to make a case in an article that it has been a long, ongoing Christian conspiracy that “allowed” Christian Kris Allen to “unfairly” win last night, as all Idols have won for all eight seasons. ‘Christians rule,’ or something like that.

I read it… silly, baseless stuff, using only the “Christian points” that make its liberal theory even remotely plausible. This article didn’t delve into the “homophobia conspiracy” as many others have, so I’m not going to go down that road. I’m well-schooled on American Idol trivia and its contestants, and there have been a lot of Christian competitors on the show who were voted off early into each competition. As a Christian, should I be screaming and decrying “Atheist Conspiracy”? LOL. Suggesting that ministers in conservative states have been pushing their congregations to vote for Kris Allen is amusing and paranoid.

However, if indeed more Christians vote than do non-Christians (the predominant religion in America IS Christianity), and Christians “only” vote for Christian contestants, then the math will naturally run its logical course. However, I don’t recall reading anywhere Adam’s religious upbringing or philosophies… he did co-star with Val Kilmer in the musical stage production of The Ten Commandments. Hmmm. What do you make of that, HuffPo?

Adam Lambert in musical ‘The Ten Commandments’

A few days ago, a parallel was drawn by some liberal writers: Adam represented the hip, liberal Democrat party and Kris represented the unhip, conservative GOP party. Naturally, in the Golden Age of Obama, based on this analogy, Adam was, of course, destined to be crowned.

I loved Adam Lambert from Day 1, the charming, androgynous singer with the most flawless, powerful voice I’ve ever heard on AI’s stage (even more flawless than my all-time favorite David Cook). I voted nonstop for Adam Tuesday night (uh-oh… a Christian voted for Adam, Huffington Post!). Kris Allen is adorable, well-mannered, has a smooth, pleasant, easy-to-market style. I didn’t vote for him. Not even once. Simply because I liked Adam’s performances far better (except for his regrettable, cheesy-sleezy performance of “Ring of Fire,” which made me want to take a shower afterward). Adam’s sexual orientation meant nothing to me. His personal faith didn’t influence me. I LOVED his performances.

But millions of others DID vote for Kris and didn’t like Adam’s performances for the very same reason that I loved them. Were these millions of voters wrong because they didn’t agree with me or my husband or my friends who wanted Adam to win?

Don’t be ridiculous. I’m not an egotistical liberal.

From Tim Graham at NewsBusters:

David Saltonstall of the Daily News used former Clinton-Gore spinner Chris Lehane to add political spin to the Idol finale:

The way Lehane sees it, Adam is the liberal in this race, the hipster from big blue California with a certain progressive flair, including painted fingernails and copious amounts of eyeliner.

Kris is more of a red-state country boy – a baby-faced, guitar-pickin’, churchgoin’ son of the land of Woo Pig Soiee, which voted solidly Republican in the last election.

“It will come down to whether Adam is able to build on the blue-state, progressive wave we have seen building since 2006, or whether this is a last gasp for the red state viewer/voter,” explained Lehane by e-mail.

As a Californian, Lehane conceded he’s pulling for favorite son Adam.

“I am hoping that Dick Cheney comes out and tells people to vote for Kris, thus assuring Adam wins,” joked Lehane, a father of two “Idol”-watching tots.

Other political pros gives Adam the edge based on a key demographic component – cell phones, and who owns them.

Millions of “American Idol” watchers vote each week by texting on their cell phones, often repeatedly. And many believe Lambert’s Generation X and Y groupies are more likely to own cell phones than Allen’s younger, preteen followers.

“It depends on who texts,” said Hank Sheinkopf, whose client list has included everyone from Bill Clinton to Mayor Bloomberg. “And my feeling is that more of those people are Adam’s.”

The “Democrat vs. Republican” comparison has been quickly dumped by liberal writers. Don’t want to fan the fires that a foreboding change is happening in conservative America, a change in American voters, as witnessed in California this week. Statists should be making a hasty retreat from daring to present THAT kind of “shoot yourself in the foot” comparison after Kris’ win. Some liberal writers are now slamming Adam, saying he is too private, and isn’t announcing his sexual orientation. What? He isn’t “gay enough” for the libs? Now I’ve heard everything…

Adam Lambert and Kris Allen, American Idol's Season 8 finalists

FOX Interview: Is Queen in Adam Lambert’s Future?

So, why did Kris Allen win American Idol and Adam Lambert did not? More votes. That simple. I was stunned, but not surprised. Kris appealed to one set of millions of folks and Adam appealed to a different set of millions of folks. When Danny Gokey was eliminated last week, his fans had to make a choice this week for whom to vote. I’m guessing that a hefty portion of Gokey fans switched over to Kris Allen this week. As Allison Ireheta’s fans did the week before… probably switching over to Adam Lambert. And so on and so on.

Sliding over to vote for another AI contestant with a similar singing style is to be expected when your guy or girl has been booted. Unless you stop voting altogether. No conspiracy here, just real math and the free will of American voters.

Liberal bloggers and journalists and Adam Lambert fans who are freaking out over Kris Allen’s win, you need to learn to be more gracious about losing. It was a huge shocker if you’re a Lambert fan, a sweet, unexpected victory if you’re an Allen fan. But nothing to get snarly about.

Because you think a certain way does not ever represent how every one else thinks. I know that likely bothers you. Because you’re always right, right? Misguided arrogance is never pretty. Quit being babies about it and calling those who don’t agree with you “losers.” Whining and pouting that everyone else is wrong is acting like… like a liberal.

Best quote ever from an American Idol winner: “Adam deserves this. I’m sorry.” Classy and humble to the end, Kris.

AI Season 9 will be here before you know it. Recommended change for next year: Axe those annoying, distracting “Swaybots” that are at the foot of the stage for each performance. Zombie college girls with swaying arms… not needed.

Congratulations to both Kris and Adam. Rosy futures are in store for both these talented men. To American Idol producers, a fun, entertaining season.

Thanks for the memories, Adam. I really did want you to win.

Additional:
Access Hollywood: Kris Allen Talks ‘Idol’ Win: ‘I’m Just A Regular Guy’
John Nolte, Big Hollywood: ‘American Idol’ and Dumbing Down the Definition of Homophobe
Frugal Café Blog Zone: Controversy Brews Over ‘American Idol’s’ Adam Lambert’s Debut Album Cover & Tiger Beat Magazine Covers, Then and Now
Cam Cannon, Big Hollywood: ‘Idol’ Reaction Proves Immutable Law: LLTL
Edward Wyatt, New York Times: AT&T May Have Swayed ‘Idol’ Results
Deborah Weiss, Big Hollywood: Obviously, Adam Lambert Isn’t Gay Enough
Pam Meister, Big Hollywood: When Reality TV Stars Go Bad, Who’s to Blame?
Yahoo Music: Aiken’s Lambert Rant: Claymate Turns To Clayhate
TVWatch: Kris Allen & Adam Lambert React to Idol Shocker
American Idol Buzz Blog: Season 8 Finale

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