Obama; The Next Winner of American Idol

If you are one of the 4 remaining people in the universe who has never seen American Idol or know the premise of the show, here's a quick review. It's one of America's most popular reality tv shows aimed at finding true singing talent. More people become invested in the contestants and voting on this show than in the United States presidential election. Of course it is aired worldwide so that's not a fair statement, concerning numbers, but just as people in other countries are voting on American Idol, so are people from other countries within U.S. voting in our presidential election.

First, I want to establish a popularity theme here between American Idol and the election of Obama. For example, try looking up "American Idol" on the online source, Wikipedia, and you will encounter as many pages of information there as you will if you look up "Obama". How did anyone besides Obama stand a chance to win against a celebrity like him. Constant commercials with A-list celebs like Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore, even Oprah (the most influential woman in America) were enthusiastically telling us how to vote. Making it a "cool" thing to vote, but forgetting the part to make your decision based on your best knowledge.

Some similarities between the way America voted President Obama into office and voted for their favorite Idol contestant are scary. You see, the judges in American Idol are not looking for the best singer, sounds retarded right? It's a singing contest right? WRONG. The judges look for marketability. For instance, do they have "the look", are they charasmatic- do people like them? Are they confident? Are they different and stand out? Do they have style? Will people vote for them? Do they have a good story? I just listed close to ten factors considered above and besides a great singing voice. And it still is a singing competition right?

I won't justify anything here or get into the nitty gritty of politics or Democrats vs. Republicans vs. Independents vs. Leave me alone I'm not voting, don't like any candidates, don't care Party. American Idol and Obama's election are arguably both popularity contests. What gives me the credentials to identify a popularity contest? I went to high school. But I won't be fooled, If I watch American Idol, I vote for the best singer, not the prettiest or who has the best story. Everybody who voted for Obama is familiar with popularity contests because he ran for one; President of the United States. Many teens currently too young to vote are voting on Amercian Idol and in the future will be voting for President the only way they know how- by popular demand.

I should be happy so many people who have never voted before, voted for Obama. Am I also happy those people voted like they were voting on American Idol with the notion "Oh I like him. I don't know why there's just something about him". Voting off a feeling or because it's about time we have a black president is irresponsible. Please America, admit you voted for Obama because he smokes the cool brand of cigarettes, him and his wife have great style of clothing, and his story and charisma were mesmerizing. He was different than the other candidates, he wasn't the best option, but he was marketable. His popularity caught on like a raging wildfire in California and soon we wanted to know everything about HIM, and nothing about the important stuff. Was he qualified? That's like asking if the best singers win American idol- NOPE.

After the contest, American Idol winners are seldom the ones to go on and make huge hits and become stars- yes some have, but very rare. It's usually the talented good singers who were voted off weeks before the end that end up making albums to become hits. So if America doesn't vote for the best singers in a singing competition then somehow you expect and believe the majorty presidential votes were for the best candidate and not for any other silly reasons that clouded our better judgment at the time?

In fact, you can compare Obama's election to any reality tv show winner. Survivor, the original reality tv show- winners are known to be the most sly, make their own rules, charasmatic yet backstab you while smiling to your face. I just want to bring to attention the factors in which we consider when voting, more importantly voting for our president. I believe we did not vote for the most qualified, talented candidate, and it shows. Nobody is expecting perfection from him, just like even the best singer fails to hit some notes periodically, but I am certain we considered far too much of the other stuff when voting for him. Perhaps he was the right person, but for a different contest. Let him sink or swim on Survivor.

If you're like me and watch various reality tv shows and week after week you are out of your mind about the voting results "How can so many stupid people even know how to vote in the first place?", "Are they watching the same show?". You'll begin to understand what I mean about trying desperately to understand why the majority vote went to Obama. Just because everybody else is doing it, doesn't make it right.

So you don't like what I've said so far, well it is peaches n' cream compared to what Simon Cowell has said during his career as a judge on American Idol.This is a special little section, and tribute, to the most hated, most loved, most honest, Simon Cowell.

If Simon were judging Obama on American Idol, he'd give him credit for being confident, but since Obama is more cocky than confident, Simon hates cocky so he'll get some of the following remarks: Please note: these are actual Simon quotes said on American Idol, but I've made them relevant to Obama's election.

• "If you've got a big mouth, you're going to get attention"
• "I think you have to judge everything based on your personal taste. And if that means being critical, so be it. I hate political correctness. I absolutely loathe it.”
• "I never want to hear that again, I hate it, I'm allergic to it"!
• “You're useless, I'm bored.”
• "I think you are ignoring the audience who put you there."
• "If you're lifeguard duties were as good as your singing, a lot of people will drown."
• "My advice to you if you want to pursue a career in the business, don't".

So take it or leave it- funny or pathetic, this is all just meant to make you really consider the next president carefully- ask him the tough questions that really matter to the competition. Vote only for his capabilities to lead our country in our (the American people) best interest.