Image from MTV.com!

Kelly Clarkson of American Idol/Since U Been Gone/Miss Independentfame has voiced her opinion on the Republican presidential primary.

Via Twitter the pop star explained

I love 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. Too bad he probably won’t.

Clarkson, who has previously identified as a Republican but said she voted Democrat in 2008, drew some criticism from her followers causing her to take to the Twitter again to further explain…

I am really sorry if I have offended anyone. Obviously that was not my intent. I do not support racism. I support gay rights, straight rights, women’s rights, men’s rights, white/black/purple/orange rights. I like Ron Paul because he believes in less government and letting the people (all of us) make the decisions and mold our country. That is all. Out of all of the Republican nominees, he’s my favorite.

Meanwhile, sales of Clarkson’s most recent album Stronger have increased by 192 percent on Amazon.com.

Ron Paul’s campaign thanked Clarkson for her “kind words.”  The candidate is taking a break from campaigning for New Year’s.

In related news – HAPPY NEW YEAR!  But really you should be excited for the results of the Des Moines Register Iowa Poll!  It’s the last poll before the caucuses on Tuesday, and a lot’s riding on it for Paul and the other candidates.

What do you think Tuesday will bring for the Republican party?  Which pop star will be next to endorse a candidate?  And perhaps most importantly…what are orange rights?