Raleigh N&O - "Claymates get busy"

Now this is interesting! The Raleigh News & Observer has posted this article about the Idolator.com poll we told you about earlier this week.

The CB's ThuddingInRaleigh says: "This is by the same guy that NEVER has a nice word to say about Clay. "

Claymates get busy
David Menconi, Staff Writer

One thing we've learned about Clay Aiken fans: They're quick to come to their hero's defense.

On Monday, the music blog Idolator (www.Idolator.com) ran a poll in its "Cover-Song Showcase Showdown," pitting Raleigh homeboy Aiken against rapper Joe Budden. The poll asked which cover of Mr. Mister's "Broken Wings" is superior, Aiken's version on his new album, "A Thousand Different Ways," or Budden's freestyle rap version.

By late Tuesday afternoon, Budden was outpolling Aiken 63.1 percent to 39.9 percent, with fewer than 200 total votes cast. Figuring Clay Nation could use a nudge, we posted a link to the contest in the "On the Beat" blog (http://blogs.newsobserver.com/beat) and a challenge to the Claymates: "So are you really going to let this stand?"

Two hours later, the results were dramatically different -- an Aiken landslide with Clay getting 91.6 percent to Budden's 8.4 percent. By Thursday afternoon, Aiken had racked up more than 1,600 votes, while Budden had yet to crack 100.

To see the poll, go to www.idolator.com and punch "Clay Aiken" into the search box at the top.

Technorati tags: Clay Aiken, A Thousand Different Ways, ATDW, American Idol, Without You, Invisible