Are people judging for their ability or because they like them?

I think that it is more a popularity contest rather than a singing contest. It is too bad that the good singers are leaving so soon.

No people are voting for the ones they like, not if they did good or are good. Just look at sanjaya. Howard Stern has a campain going on to keep him on the show. He is having his listeners on Sirrius radio call and vote for him, because he is not a fan of the show and wants someome lousy to win. So I think it's all turning into a popularity contest, at least until it gets closer to the end.

For me, personally, I vote based on their ability to sing the song and perform. But, I know a lot of people judge on other criteria. I often don't look at them singing so I can hear their voice more clearly. If the person is also very personable, I might take it into consideration.

People have been voting for the wrong reasons for years. That's why flops like Ruben, Fantasia, and Talor Hicks keep winning. I vote for the person who can make a good album. I want Gina Glocksen to win so she can make some good music and I can buy her CD. I've said it before, Melinda and Lakisha can NOT make a good album. Nobody will buy anything they produce. They're not even attractive enough to make a good album cover. Sanjaya would probably sell more albums than either one of them.

Each season has that person or two that is kept on by the teen vote. We can't really begrudge that because the target audience for the show is the younger crowd. If they are watching(which the producers want them to be) and then their voting reflects the pulse of the younger crowd and not the talent what can we really do? Most of America doesn't really get into it until the end and that is when the people who don't deserve to be there any longer start going home. It is unfortunate that some good people go home too early because of this process but I doubt that anyone will really change things to gear the show to an older crowd. At the end of the day it is about promoting pop culture, that is the crowd who is watching, that is why they are making money, and that is why it will likely stay the same.

Ever since last season when Chris Daughtry got voted off and Taylor Hicks won I have realized American is voting for the wrong reasons. Sanjaya should have left a long time ago and a couple that have went home should still be there. I am not sure what american is basing their votes on but it is totally wrong to me.