That Ron Paul Endorsement Didn’t Actually Help Kelly Clarkson’s Sales

LAS VEGAS, NV - SEPTEMBER 23: Singer Kelly Clarkson performs onstage at the iHeartRadio Music Festival held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on September 23, 2011 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images for Clear Channel) Photo: Ethan Miller/2011 Getty Images

Last week, the singer and OG American Idol winner dipped her toe in the political waters with a series of tweets endorsing Ron Paul. (“I liked him a lot during the last republican nomination and no one gave him a chance. If he wins the nomination for the Republican party in 2012 he’s got my vote.�) Clarkson got a little feedback from her followers, who pointed her to Paul’s controversial (some might say racist) old newsletters, and after apologizing, she backed away from the issue. But not Ron Paul! The delighted GOP presidential candidate told an Iowa crowd that Clarkson’s endorsement had resulted in a major sales boost for the singer. “Our supporters went out and bumped up her sales by 600 percent,� he claimed. Yeah, turns out not so much: Billboard ran the numbers, and her sales actually dropped from the previous week. Try Adele next time, RP.