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Will David Cook or David Archuleta Win American Idol 2008?

American Idol contestants David Archuleta and David Cook are widely believed to be front runners for the title of American Idol 2008. This season's Idol contest has produced a tight race between the older, more versatile David Cook against the pure-voiced David Archuleta. That both guys have talent is undisputed. Which singer will gain the most votes is still difficult to tell.

All remaining Idol contestants are talented but the female contestants simply have not been able to get the kind of fan following the male contestants have achieved. Likewise, Jason Castro just hasn't been able to woo as many fans as David Cook and David Archuleta.

The two Davids appeal to much different audiences, respectively.

What the fans seem to like most about Cook:

David Cook has great versatility in both voice and stage presence. Cook is more popular among the rock-n-roll crowd but his fan base is not limited to that audience alone. He seems comfortable singing a variety of styles.

What the fans like most about Archuleta:

David Archuleta has a pure, pleasant vocal sound and he appeals strongly to young girls. He seems very sweet and wholesome-- an attribute many Idol viewers like.

Attributes that may work against Cook or Archuleta:

Archuleta’s sweetness, though at times beneficial, can also work against him; the same sweet and innocent presence that appeals to many is an Archuleta attribute that turns others off of the young singer in favor of the older David Cook.

Archuleta is also stylistically not very flexible; fans don't care about this. His voice is beautiful and the songs he chooses are appropriate, they say. But others feel his singing is boring and he doesn't have what an American Idol winner should have--versatility.

Cook’s physical appearance is unappealing to some. He is average-looking and somewhat scruffy. Cook’s fans, however, view the scruffy appearance as a sign he is down-to-earth.

What fans of Cook call a "versatile" vocal style, others call "generic." Archuleta, they say, has the better singing voice and should be the next American Idol.

It is too early to tell if either David will win American Idol, but most Idol fans seem to be sure that one of these guys will win. Indeed, it is very difficult to imagine any of the other Idol contestants winning the American Idol 2008 title
By: Korey M.
Published: 04/23/08


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46 Posted Comments:

finale

@ 10:32 am 04/23/08 by zara
It's a dream finale: David vs. David. They are so different but both very talented. I am rooting for David A. His voice blew me away form the first time. And his potential in time is higher than David C.
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@ 11:00 am 04/23/08 by Korey M
Thanks for your comment. It will be interesting to see who ends up winning
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@ 11:15 am 04/23/08 by Bouffe
The competition is not over. While all signs point to a David VS David finale, anything can happen...

I am a Cook fan, so of course I'll say David Cook should win American Idol. I recognize that both have talent, and that both are very popular. However, Cook definitely appeals more to me. I prefer his confidence over Archuleta's modesty. I prefer his gritty, powerful and emotional vocals over Archuleta's purer voice. I personally think Cook is smoking hot, but he could be ugly as a butt, I'd still prefer him over Archuleta, because his voice just reaches deep inside of me, speaks to me, moves me (darn I sound like Paula Abdul).

I think both have the potential to be the next American Idol. But Cook, a rocker, winning? Now that would be pretty darn refreshing!
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@ 11:28 am 04/23/08 by Jade
I'm torn between the two. I was a Archie fan in the past weeks until Mariah Carey week. I just love the two singers, they are so good. Archie was so predictable last week. Cook was just awesome he turned one the most girliest, decade ago song into a present rocking version.

I just really think it is the battle between the DAVIDS. Archie was stron to begin with and Cook was just making a big transformation. I wonder what appeals more to the AI public?
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@ 2:23 am 04/24/08 by Lauren
Thanks for your post. It was objective, unlike a lot of other things I see. I think the winner will be determined in the last couple of weeks. Whichever one performs the best and gets the best comments from the judges will win. David C. is talented, but he just rubs me the wrong way. If it comes down to those two, it is going to be David A. for me.
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Idol David vs David

@ 1:30 pm 04/24/08 by monica
Archuleta showed off his musical sense, finding an unexpected groove in one of Webber’s semi-classical arias, “Think of Me.” Gliding into that downy-soft upper register, he made the song a secret mash-up with Babyface’s “The Loneliness.” Archie may be the show’s youngest prime competitor, but that’s not stopping him from being the most sophisticated.
–Ann Powers, L.A. Times

David’s rearrangement of a ‘diva song’ was the night’s most relevant performance. He was the only contestant smart enough to turn a Broadway tune into a contemporary song…
–Jim Cantiello, MTV

David is the smartest person on the show tonight, because he’s not doing a Broadway version of this song. He made this into a ballady-radio-friendly love song, which is completely amazing. This is the David performance I was waiting for all season.
–John Canstantino, Cinemablend

Archuleta picked “Think of Me” and beat Cook at his own game by completely reinventing the song…This round goes to Archuleta.
–Misha Davenport, Chicago Sun Times

For innovation, the man of the moment was front-runner David Archuleta.
–Hal Boedeker, Orlando Sentinal

David turns the song into a poppy love song and … he did it superbly. GRADE: A — I could imagine his version on the radio tomorrow.
–VoteForTheWorst.com

David Archuleta’s pitch-perfect, gorgeous version of “Think of Me” was, in my opinion, his best performance since “Imagine.”
–Entertainment Weekly



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DAVID COOK WILL WIN AMERICAN IDOL!

@ 4:36 pm 04/24/08 by Rebecca
David Cook WILL win American Idol.. He has what it takes to be a superstar and he has amazing stage presence. He has the "IT" factor and the remaining contestants only have about 1/2 of his talent. (if even that much) and I think they are are beginning to realize that.. even little david.

Keep in mind that this is NOT The "David Archuletta Show" OK.. So let's not forget that he can go home just as easily as anyone else, I mean look at what happened with Carly. She is more talented than Jason or Brooke and she went home when way too early ...

Say it with me now people:

"This.......................................is American Idol" (and anything can happen!)

P.S.

"Is David Cook attractive?"

(what camera do I look into?)

Yes

Yes

YES....

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Who will win in a David vs. David finale?

@ 1:37 pm 04/25/08 by Winterview
Just look at the iTunes download popularity listings. Cook's fresher, artistic approach to music is clearly resonating with more fans.

And I think it's absolutely hilarious to read comments by critics who gave props to Archie for turning a diva's song into an 80's boy-band tune, when ALW started the evening by explicitly saying that the one thing he wanted them to feel was that musical theater is just that.... theater put to music. Syesha, Cook and Brooke were the only ones who even came close it "getting it." Although I will give Jason props for trying to channel his inner cat.

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David Cook for sure!

@ 3:23 pm 04/25/08 by Daniele
He is simply more talented, a great musician and his voice is unbelievable.

He came as the underdog and now he is taking over the whole thing, each and everyday the number of Dc's fans increase.

He's the one to beat and I don't believe anyone can actually do it.

David A. is Justin Guarini from this season. FACT!
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@ 2:43 am 04/26/08 by carly
I think this week Cook may have closed the gap and surpassed Archuleta, and here's why: For the Andrew Lloyd Webber theme, the Davids each tried to steal a bit of the other's thunder. Cook relied on pure vocal power with no creative re-arrangement, and Archuleta attempted to modernize his song with a new arrangement. Cook's vocals soared and shocked a good number of people who realized that he is a much more gifted vocalist than they may have previously realized. Meanwhile Archuleta's new arrangement didn't exactly give him the fresh and exciting buzz that Cook had already earned with his arrangements. In fact, many people found Arculeta's boy band-ish arrangement to be boring and unmemorable. This very important round went to Cook. We shall see if he can maintain momentum, but I'd like to see him win.
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@ 2:53 am 04/26/08 by lauren
I thought it was interesting that the two Davids were brought out together this week during results night and both asked about their Lloyd Webber performances. When David Cook was asked why he didn't rearrange the song, he replied that ALW is one of the most definitive songwriters he's ever met, and the most unpredictable thing he could have done at that point was to sing the song as the great songwriter had intended. Score! Meanwhile, little David stammered through his answer when asked how he felt about his performance. Ryan then went to Simon, and asked Simon if he had changed his mind about calling David Archuleta's performance boring. Simon said in a nice way that it was good, but not as good as his other performances. Denied! I think this will be Cook's competition to lose. If, big if, he doesn't mess up in a big way from here on out, he will win. Little David needs big David to really crash and burn to win this thing, IMO.
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ARCHULETA!! (no duh!)

@ 7:33 am 05/02/08 by TRU_GIRL
Of course Archuleta will win! HE's so cute! only to see him on t.v makes young girls go INSANE(wel i do)!
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@ 1:45 pm 05/04/08 by Ula
Is it just me, or is David Archuletta the DORKIEST kid out there. Yes, he has a nice voice; however he has absolutely no stage presence! He looks uncomfortable on stage. He has no charisma and looks completely terrified all the time. Does any one else see this?
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AMERICAN IDOL: "DAVID VS. DAVID"

@ 5:19 pm 05/04/08 by Micaela
I think that it will come to David Cook and David Archuelta. Both of them are good and have a huge amount of fans, I love both of them and think that maybe David Archuelta will idol, because of his fans and the judges wanting a younger audience look. Who knows what will happen? Whoever wins or looses is for the best.
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Battle of the davids

@ 6:58 pm 05/04/08 by wasted18
Whoever wins between the two doesn't matter. Their already big time stars now and their just fighting for the cash and the fame. Look at Daughtry and Mcphee. They didn't even win but they even surpassed the season's winner in all terms. IMHO if Archuleta wins, Cook will make it higher and surpass Archuleta becuase he is more versatile.
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@ 10:40 pm 05/04/08 by jenna
I remember the week that David Archuleta sang "Imagine". I loved it....I kept replaying the tape over and over..... All too often I would roll it back just a bit too far and this David Cook guy was doing his thing....and I remember thinking. "Hey, the guy's good."

Then came David Cook singing Lionel Richie's "Hello" the very next week. And from that point on it's been DC #1...with DA 2 and quite a distance behind my frontrunner, David Cook.

David Cook is the total package. And he really deserves to win.

But you know what: We'll all be winners if these two guys have long, great careers with a lot of air time. I know it's cliche`....but it's an "apple or orange" type of contest. I WISH THEM BOTH WELL....BUT I'LL BE VOTING FOR DAVID COOK. BUT I STILL WANT TO HEAR DAVID ARCHULETA ON THE RADIO TOO!!
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The Two David's

@ 5:22 pm 05/05/08 by Tanya
I like both David's, but I do believe that David Archuleta has the best voice out of all of the contestants. David Cook is more polished as a entertainer, but I imagine being 8 years older than David A. has a lot to do with that. (That is nearly half of David A.'s lifetime)

I do realize that it would have probably been more beneficial for David A. to wait till he was a bit older before he tried out for the show...he is out of his comfort zone, but it is hard for me to understand why that would turn anyone off...it only makes me want to pull for him even more.

I think the top ten was really great this year and I hope they all get some kind of contract or work from being on the show. I wish them all the very best.
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@ 10:09 am 05/08/08 by lola
I think D.A will be the winner,anyway he has the most votes
source:bazar,the most fan and he's the most talented!!!!
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@ 11:02 am 05/08/08 by Simone
I absolutely love both Davids. Each one brings something very unique to the table. If it really comes down to David vs. David finale, I think it will finally be the most fair and enjoyable finale of all the seasons we've had. I wish them both tons of success and can't wait to hear both of them on the radio.
I prefer David Archuleta to win the whole thing- I have admired him from day one and he has not disappointed me since. He has so many things going for him and I'm just thrilled that his remarkable talent and his fame have not changed his personality. He is still as humble, pure and sincere as ever. I actually think that he has shown quite a bit of versatility with his song selections- from ballads to fast, upbeat songs to Broadway-turned-pop. And this is just the beginning...if he is already this good now, he will only get better and better as he becomes more seasoned.
It's upsetting when people start to bash the opposing contestant for the sake of making their favorite look better. While I'm a diehard Archuleta fan, I appreciate and enjoy David Cook's voice quite a bit. I keep listening to my favorite performances by him over and over again ("Billie Jean", "Hello", "Music of the Night") and I don't think that in doing so I'm "cheating" on my favorite. One person's talent does not take away from the other. They are both great in different ways.

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Archuleta For Sure!

@ 7:25 pm 05/10/08 by Johny
Vote for Archuleta he's 17 and has a very mature voice for his age!!!! You won't regret it!
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The "Davids"

@ 1:23 am 05/12/08 by Mary
DA is talented and has been in different competitions that makes him more seasoned than we realize. DA was bold and stopped the first American Idols and sang to them. His 'modesty' seems rehearsed. Still, he is a cute kid and can sing well. His voice is not memorable but it does not matter since it is a popularity vote for teensagers. Teenagers are fickle and tire qickly and go to the next.

DC has a passion for music and his vioce is memorable. His style is defentately not that of DA but that means DC will not sing for Disney. No matter which one wins, all three will do well. American Idol does not mean success but only gives a title that to some is just a title. Maybe it is best for DC and Syesha to let Archuleta win. DC will not be bound to American Idol conrtant and that will be good for him because he is defiantely marketable. I see in the near future a David Archuleta doll with only one outfit sold at local departmernt stores.
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david archuleta

@ 11:28 am 05/12/08 by karen schuster
I have a special needs daughter that adores David Archuleta. She wants to meet hime so bad. She does not like going in public around around alot of people, but all she talks about is meeting him.
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who i think is gonna tin

@ 8:15 am 05/14/08 by dada
i think that david a. is going to win then we will get married on the beach i looooooovvvvvve david archleta
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AI

@ 4:07 pm 05/15/08 by k-dogg
David Archuleta in my opinion completely butchered "With You" by Chris Brown. David Cook had for sure better win or I'm never watching this show again.
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David Archuleta

@ 4:19 pm 05/15/08 by Patti Newbold
I feel that David A. should win because he is the best singer. Also, David Cook has an unfair advantage... he is in a band and has already had a CD. David A. is genuine and not cocky like David Cook. He deserves this. He is a doll. Patti and Austin in West Valley, Utah want David A. to win
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David Cook

@ 2:41 am 05/16/08 by Julie
I don't know if a guy or a girl wrote this column, but David Cook has smoldering good looks! He seems to have lost weight, and I think his mouth and his eyes are gorgeous. I think he would make a better idol over David Archuleta. He is more mature and more self-assured, and his vocals are rich and very colorful. I wish David Archuleta would have entered this contest four or five years from now when he will be more mature. Right now his shyness makes me uncomfortable to watch him. But imagine what he'll be like in a few years! By then he will have the whole package like David Cook! I would like to say something else as well. I don't understand why people think David Cook is cocky. Cockiness is a deplorable characteristic, but I don't see that in Cookie. He seems very gracious onstage, both with the comments from the judges and the way he acts around the other contestants - applauding them, holding their hands, and hugging them. If David Archuleta wins, David Cook will be applauding him louder than anyone else.
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david cook!

@ 4:53 pm 05/16/08 by hayley
David Cook will WIN! Archuleta is good, but I don't think he is ready for the music industry. David Cook has delivered week to week with good performances. He DESERVES to WIN! YOU ROCK DAVID COOK!
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Archuleta

@ 4:09 pm 05/17/08 by Mary
Teen girls are so fickle. Archuleta is not the bomb. He is very boring. He will do bettr as a disney kid rather than a performer. He has been in different contest and even so, it has not taught him to be a performer as it comes naturally and he does not have it. Being a morman oes not make him another Donny Osmond. What it does make him is a kid who will be replaced by the next teen idol.
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@ 9:11 pm 05/17/08 by Renna
So stupid!!! Archuleta has been in a bunch of singing contest and still has no stage presence and is lifeless on stage. Sorry to burst the Archie bubble, but he is not what the teenies think and will soon tire of the boring songs and the bashful type presence of this kid which I think gets older by the minute. Cook is a great guy and is the talent of ""American Idol this year. Go ahead and vote for Archuleta because winning Idol does not make you and Idol.
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@ 12:39 am 05/18/08 by debra capperrune
i love both davids!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
thank jesus for giving them exceptionall brilliant voices! no one should judge who is better, they obviously have two of the most amazing voices out of the hundreds of thousands who entered American Idol auditions. SO let's stop trying to compare the two. They are awesome and I know they will both go very far in their careers. May God Bless them mightily with the rest of their life with peace, joy, love and protection....thank you!!!!
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@ 1:29 am 05/18/08 by DA
of course david archuleta. i dunno why his age made everyone not sure if he is ready for this. he is cute and talented. Very talented. he deserve this rather then DC. DC is good, bt archuleta is brilliant. we love him. I LOVE HIM
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Hey Everyone!

@ 1:32 am 05/18/08 by David Archuleta
I cant believe i have made it this far! i am running against david cook who i have looked up to since the beginning of this competition. I will not be upset if i come in second against cook because he deserves this more than anything. He has proven himself stronger and stronger week by week. I am so amazed I made it to the top 2 i seriously thought it was the end for me seeing how amazing Syesha did last week. The Finale will be interesting and i cant wait to see who america chooses for their idol!

Thanks to all my fans.

Love,
Archuleta.
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DAVID ARCHULETA ALL THE WAY !

@ 1:35 am 05/18/08 by alicia elliott
Hey Guys. I don't know who you want to win but i want David A to win. I love David C too and i think he is just as amazingly talented but i have loved David A from the starting of this competition. David A shows such great strength concidering he is only 17 years old. I feel David C should come in second because he will be the next Daughtry. I think David A needs to win american idol because he brings something unique and if he wins it will be a whole new thing for him since he is so young. Also if david a wins he will be huge and even in david c looses to him he will still be a huge star!! David VS David is going to be the best finale ever and i cant wait for Wednesday to find out who America voted more for because i know America loves both of them equally. so i think all of us will just have to wait and see but im still ROOTING for DAVID ARCHULETA!!!
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@ 2:30 am 05/18/08 by Samantha
My original bets were Michael and Carly, but now that they're out of the competition, I'm rooting for David Cook. David Archuleta's young, and he's got tons of fans, but I really just don't seem him making it big.

Oh well, even if he wins, it's no guarantee that he'll become a star. Look at Chris Daughtry, Elliot Yamin, Bo Bice, Clay Aiken, Jennifer Hudson... they didn't win but they're a whole lot more popular than some of the other winners.
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David Cook all the way . . . . . . .

@ 2:33 pm 05/18/08 by LynCoo
David Cook all the way! He has shown he can rock and he can sing a ballad that will bring tears to the eyes. Major plus .... he can hold his own during an interview. I feel David A. has been programmed by his father way too closely. All you have to do is watch when David A. is interviewed. He's lost. An American Idol will go through a ton of interviews. Not being able to speak, childish giggles and blink of the eyes .... you think that would be an American Idol? David A. is good, but not an American Idol. David Cook ... enjoy your ride!!!
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Take Your Pick

@ 8:06 pm 05/19/08 by Rosanne Rosannadanna
If you like gritty rock with little sense of intonation, vote for Cook.

If you like soulful ballads with excellent pitch, vibrato control and heart, vote for Archuleta.

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@ 4:44 pm 05/20/08 by tiana
I love both Davids but i'll go for Archuleta coz he has captured me from the very beginning and he has a very powerfull vocal.
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The David's

@ 7:09 am 05/21/08 by Donna
I enjoyed reading the post. I noticed in one of them that DA has been in alot of contest. Even if DC has a band, he has not been in contest which is a different world altogether because parents push their kids and are often possessed by contest instead of their children.
I looked on you tube and listened to DA singing to a bunch of idols and I also listened to him singing the same songs he has sung on AI in other contest at the age of 10-14. This is what is called a professional contestant. His songs are so boring and fit the scope of AI. DC will do better not being under the AI contract. What makes DC better is that he comes accross believable and at ease with himself and adjusted in his family. There are no battles and the media will love DA's drama. But, DC will be selling alot of CD's without worry.
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MaNy

@ 9:59 am 05/21/08 by JeNiNah EmO
i want 2 win is david a. and david c. because they both have a amazing voice like high school musical star zac efron
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@ 10:23 am 05/21/08 by Unanimous-DavidCook-
David's always Cookin'! yay! i Hope he wins it all!!! Go DC! ur Smokin!
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Will David Cook or David Archuleta Win American Idol 2008?

@ 10:34 am 05/21/08 by mandazie
i think both of the david's are aLready winners even though A.I. Season 7 has not decLared their winner yet/america decLares their idoL..i thingk it's mainLy because of their difference in music genre preferences..DC-rock,,DA-baLLads or meLLow music..so technicaLLy,,i think both of them are aLready idoLs..it aLso depends on who america votes as their isoLL..

hehe..

that's just an opinion..

may the best david win..

=)

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my correction!!

@ 10:37 am 05/21/08 by mandazie
that isoLL there above shouLd be the word "idoL..''

sorry..

typographicaL error..=)
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Cook Rocks!

@ 5:19 pm 05/21/08 by LynCoo
Cook shouldn't win because he has experience in a band? What the hell is up with that? How about David A. being on "Star Search"? Rediculous!!!!!!! I think David A. could end up collapsing under the pressure of being a star. He can barely move without his Daddy assisting him. He can't even speak while being interviewed. He grins like a child and blinks his eyes when someone speaks to him. Singing is not the only part of being an Idol. For the "Complete Package" ..... Cook Rock's it all the way!
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@ 8:53 pm 06/03/08 by dgh
I think that archuleta shuld have won because that last night on the finale, he sang his heart out. like simon i have witnessed a knock out that night
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@ 5:05 pm 06/05/08 by Patti Newbold
David Archuleta SHOULD have won American Idol. He is by far, a better singer than David Cook. That's ok though. Just look at him. He shines in every way possible. His singing touches my heart and soul. What a beautiful person he is. ~PATTI NEWBOLD~
West Valley, Utah
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Oh now come on.

@ 8:09 pm 06/06/08 by Cornie Neufeld
Hey everybody!!! I just want to say, im sick!!!, of everybody saying David Archuleta should have won. in fact i think David cook was the better, more mature idol winner. Yes they where both great, but as it is, and should be, Cook won. So , peolpe, please JUST LET IT GO!!!
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