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Devoted Voters For 'American Idol' Do Their Duty On A Presidential Scale

http://www.tbo.com/entertainment/tv/MGBHE99SQME.html

By WALT BELCHER

Published: May 3, 2006

"American Idol" fans do not idly cast their votes.

A study released Tuesday finds that 35 percent of "American Idol" voters say their votes for favorite singers are just as important as their votes for president of the United States.

The good news in that statistical tidbit is 65 percent still think voting for president is more important.

This survey of 1,045 adults by Pursuant Inc., a Washington, D.C., research firm, also found that one of every 10 adults in the United States has voted for an "Idol" contestant this year.

More people still vote for the president, about 120 million. "American Idol" reportedly pulled in 48 million votes this past week.

"Idol" voters can vote multiple times, but it's still an impressive tally.

(Let's hope an "Idol" contestant doesn't run for president. We might end up with an inarticulate rube who couldn't tell a mink from a minx.)

The survey also found that more than 58 percent of voters say judge Simon Cowell's opinions are the most valid. Only 6 percent put high value on judge Paula Abdul's opinions.

Other findings:

•Almost three-fourths of "American Idol" voters are women (73 percent).

•Voters are more likely to be from the South (39 percent). Most of the contestants are from the South, too, including all previous winners.

•Of the male voters, 21 percent say they base their choices on the contestants' sexiness. Only 3 percent of the women use appearance as the primary criteria.

This also proves that theory about some guys being shallow pigs.

•No male voters are swayed by the judges' opinions. Only 7 percent of females use the judges' comments as a deciding factor.

•Thirty-five percent say having "a great voice" was the primary reason for voting for a contestant.

This indicates many voters are taking it seriously, says Melissa Marcello, president of Pursuant Inc.

"They are judging rationally, evaluating talent and star quality rather than looks and perceived popularity," she says.

Marcello, a communication and culture instructor at Georgetown University, says serious viewers may think they are helping to discover a major talent who could live out the dream of being rich and famous.