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I think if Carrie had a warmer, more lively stage presence to go with that big voice of her's, there would be no question at all who would win this year. However, over on the AI boards where all the youngsters express their opinions, there's a lot of resentment toward her because the kids think Simon has already picked her to win. His comment last week about her eventually outselling every other AI winner turned a lot of the kids off.

The kids watch this stuff even more closely than we adult AI fans do. They know (and that's how I learn) that Kelly Clarkson's song "Since You Been Gone" has been the #1 pop song in the nation on the Billboard charts for the past three weeks. Also that her song "Breakaway" has been #1 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary charts for many weeks, and that both songs plus her album "Breakaway" have all been certified by Billboard as having gone double platinum in sales.

The kids say Carrie is strictly a country music singer, which, for most of them, is not their kind of music. So when Simon says she'll out sell all the AI winners and contestants, they get mad and blame Carrie, not Simon.

The voting block that loves Fantasia also gets mad, because her first album has been doing pretty good in the R&B/Urban music genre. But once again, these kids don't blame Simon. They blame Carrie. Interestingly, many kids in this block say they love the rockers.

So adding all that teenage angst over Simon's comments to all the teeange crushes over Bo and/or Constantine, I figure there's no clear favorite this year.

I agree with the kids on simon's comments. He should really avoid what I call fawning.

I've followed a few C&W stars and seen the live performances and videos. Carrie will have a C&W career because she has a strong voice and looks good. They can put some sexy close on her and teach her to strut across the stage, but her voice will make her some money. And Kelly will be around awhile, but it's way too premature to forcast better careers for such young people; and Simon should know better.

As for backlash voting, I hate the thought, but it's part of the psychology.

The kids do not like a "Teacher's Pet", and Carrie is definitely Simon's pet. She is nothing special, though. You can find dozens of Carries down in Nashville waiting for their big break.

Vonzel is my favorite girl singer. She has a sweetness and charm about her, and is a real beauty.

Nadia looks like a member of the Green Party or Anarchist Chicks. Not a winner.

Bo is good, but too polished and professional. I personally don't think they should have extended the age limit.

Constantine will be the winner. He knows exactly how to play to his audience--those madly text-messaging young teen girls.