Clay is no loser. They both will sing their way to the bank.
P.S.- My comments were not aimed at you specifically, I wouldn't do that.
It's not racist. It's just uninformed, needlessly conspiratorial, and unfounded. Most disturbing to me personally is the notion that Ruben was "their favorite" because he is black and not because he is Ruben.
After eschewing the entire AI phenomenon until the final two show last year (I had steadfastly refused to get caught up in "reality TV" and still have never watched Survivor), I accidently taped the second show of auditions this time around, and was hooked like a hungry bass. I've watched every show since then, and know that only Ruben and Clay were consistently great week in and week out.
To an avid, consistent, and patient viewer, it is clear: It wasn't that they decided Ruben was a front-runner because he is black -- a ignorant, specious charge -- it was that he is relaxed, engaging, and sings effortlessly. Those are qualities that were lacking in most of the final 12 contestants.
Those who point to Simon's lack of criticism of Ruben's weight aren't considering several other factors: To be an "American Idol," a black man need not be physically fit. From to Barry White to Luther Vandross to The Notorious B.I.G., obese black men have been deemed sex symbols nonetheless and have sold millions of albums and CDs. The same cannot be said of black female artists; only the legendary elders of soul music -- like, for example, Aretha Franklin -- can get away with not having a bikini body (with the exception of producer-rapper Missy Elliott), so Kimberley Locke's looks were more important to her viability as an "Idol."
Simon's jab at Joshua Gracin's weight, IMHO, was due to the fact that Josh is a Marine, and isn't expected to have anything resembling a paunch (at the same time as saying he should drop a few, Cowell also commented that the necklace Gracin was wearing diluted his jarhead image).
I stayed away from the internet until the show was over on the West Coast, which meant three quarters of the country were commenting on the results before I knew what happened. I was shocked that there over nine hundred replies on the live thread. I knew that among those, there was going to be whining from somebody regardless of who won -- either it was going to be "It's rigged, and they gave it to the black guy" or "It's rigged, and they gave it to the white guy." And I knew that I was going to be forced to say to supporters of whoever finished second, "Get over it!"
So, here I go: "GET OVER IT!"
Folks, remember, this is ONLY THE BEGINNING of their careers. This is not a sprint, it's a marathon. Remember, back in 1977, Elvis Costello was nominated for a Grammy Award as "Best New Artist." He lost to disco group A Taste of Honey ("Boogie Oogie Oogie" was their biggest hit). Earlier this year, twenty-six years and only one Grammy later, Costello was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. If the members of A Taste of Honey want to be in the Rock Hall, they have to pay their own fare to Cleveland and buy a ticket to get inside.
In the end, Clay Aiken may very well sell millions more CDs than Ruben Studdard. That possibility is no reason to cast aspersions on Studdard's accomplishment last night.
Some of you seriously have to quit imagining that you have a groove on the top of your head, and everywhere that you turn, there are people waiting to stick a giant screwdriver into it. Cool your jets. Get some perspective. And enjoy the music.