Silicon Valley, April 17. (PTI): While many may consider him vocally challenged, there is no doubt that Sanjaya Malakar is becoming the biggest obsession of Americans that is making its way into national political debate.

While presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton is asked if she would vote for the 'American Idol' wannabe, one of the leading newspapers, the Los Angeles Times, ponders in an editorial 'What's saving Sanjaya?'

During a radio call-in on WOKQ-FM, the New York senator was asked what the United States can do about Sanjaya, the television show's underdog who has confounded his critics by surviving deep into the voting on this season's programme.

"That's the best question I've been asked in a long time," Clinton said. "Well, you know, people can vote for whomever they want. That's true in my election, and it's true on American Idol".

Meanwhile, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi joined the national bandwagon when she appeared on NBC's 'Tonight Show' with Jay Leno, where she apologised for being late. She'd had to cast a critical vote, she explained to the late-night talk-show host.

Leno said, he understood democracy takes precedence, but Pelosi said it wasn't that - she had to cast a vote for 'American Idol' contestant Sanjaya Malakar.

Everyone seems to have a theory about what's behind this season's Sanjaya surprise. Some say it is the teenyboppers who are in love with Sanjaya's flowing locks, while others blame shock jock Howard and other such people who are promoting Sanjaya to wreck the credibility of the programme, which is watched by some 30 million people.