Kelly Clarkson took to the internet Wednesday to voice her support of Republican GOP presidential candidate Ron Paul, and her fans have spoken out strongly both for and against her stance.

“I love Ron Paul,” the former “American Idol” winner tweeted late Wednesday. “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.”

Since that time, fans have taken to Twitter in droves to either commend or condemn Clarkson’s now public political stance.

@lchops96 tweets: “…my opinion of her has plummeted,” while @waflanagan states directly to the source, “…My love for you has taken a severe hit, Kelly…”

But the real news seems to be that the tweet has actually affected Clarkson’s album sales –for the better. The pop singer’s most recent album, Stronger, jumped from number 38 on Amazon’s sales list to number three between Thursday and Saturday. The surge reflected the fact that sales shot up 442 percent during the same period.

On Thursday, Clarkson posted an apology to anyone offended by her remarks, and particularly to respond to Twitter users who claimed she was supporting what they saw as racist and homophobic stances taken by Paul.

“I am really sorry if I have offended anyone,” she tweeted. “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.”

While the inevitable backlash of a pop star announcing her political views in a public forum has definitely been expressed, it seems Clarkson may be the real winner. Stronger was released in October and debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 albums charts. It has slipped since that time and currently sits at number 39 on the charts, though it will likely climb next week because of the surge in record sales.

Hot on the heels of her fifth album being released a couple weeks ago, former American Idol winner Kelly Clarkson has announced a North American tour that will take up most of the first third of 2012.

The tour will kick off on January 13 in Mashantucket, Conn. and continue through April 10 in San Diego. 33 dates have been announced so far, and cities she’ll visit include New York, Boston, Shreveport, La., Seattle and Biloxi, Miss., among many others. Matt Nathanson will provide support for all shows.

Stronger, the fifth album by Clarkson, was released on October 24. The album debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 album chart, only kept out of the top position by Coldplay’s most recent album, Mylo Xyloto, which was released the same day. Stronger was preceded by the single “Mr. Know It All,” which cracked the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100.

Clarkson first came into prominence after becoming the winner of the first American Idol in 2002. After finding success with her debut album, 2003’s Thankful, Clarkson got her biggest hit with 2004’s Breakaway. Containing the hits “Behind These Hazel Eyes,” “Breakaway” and, particularly, “Since U Been Gone,” That album went on to sell more than six million copies in the United States and won the Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Album. “Since U Been Gone” also won a Grammy, for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.

Since that time, Clarkson has released three more albums, and had her most recent number one hit with “My Life Would Suck Without You,” which was released in January 2009. After entering the charts at number 97, the song hit number one the following week in what was the largest jump of any song to number one in chart history.

Kelly Clarkson will be heading out in support of her latest album “All I Ever Wanted” this fall. “Wanted” was released in March, charting a number 1 debut on the Billboard charts. The album’s first singles “My Life Would Suck Without You” and “I Do Not Hook Up” have seen modest success hanging around Billboard’s Hot 100.

The fall portion of the tour will make up the bulk of Clarkson’s 2009 dates as she hits 32 cities throughout the US and Canada. She will be supported by the Australian duo the Veronicas as well as the Parachutes. Tickets can be purchased at Ticketmaster now.

Kelly Clarkson will also be featured on VH1 Divas concert airing on September 17. The concert will take place at the Howard Gilman Opera House in Brooklyn, NY. She’ll be joined by fellow divas Adele, Leona Lewis and Miley Cyrus.

Kelly Clarkson 2009 Tour Dates
March 2009
28 – Orlando, FL – Universal Studios Orlando
29 – Tucson, AZ – Arizona Stadium

June 2009
11 – Orem, UT – Utah Valley University

July 2009
3 – Indio, CA – Fantasy Springs Resort & Casino
5 – San Diego, CA – Del Mar Fairgrounds
23 – Costa Mesa, CA – Pacific Amphitheatre
24 – Paso Robles, CA – Grandstand at California Mid-State Fair
26 – Kelseyville, CA – Konocti Harbor Resort & Spa Amphitheatre
29 – Columbus, OH – Ohio Expo Fair

August 2009
1 – Harrington, DE – Delaware State Fairgrounds
7 – Clearfield, PA – Clearfield County Fairgrounds
14 – Indianapolis, IN – Indiana State Fairgrounds
20 – Louisville, KY – Freedom Hall at The Kentucky Expo Center
22 – Des Moines, IA – Iowa State Fairgrounds
27 – Syracuse, NY – Mohegan Sun Grandstand
30 – Saint Paul, MN – Minnesota State Fair Grandstand

September 2009
3 – Allentown, PA – Allentown Fairgrounds
4 – Essex Junction, VT – Champlain Valley Expo Grandstand
11 – York, PA – York Fairgrounds
12 – Allegan, MI – Allegan County Fair Grandstand

October 2009
2 – Uncasville, CT – Mohegan Sun Resort & Casino
4 – Portland, ME – Cumberland County Civic Center
6 – New York, NY – Hammerstein Ballroom
9 – Atlantic City, NJ – Borgata Hotel & Casino
10 – Fairfax, VA – Patriot Center
13 – Boston, MA – Agganis Arena at Boston University
15 – Orillia, Ontario – Casino Rama Entertainment Centre
17 – Youngstown, OH – Covelli Centre
19 – Pikeville, KY – Eastern Kentucky Expo Center
21 – Knoxville, TN – Knoxville Civic Coliseum
23 – Milwaukee, WI – Milwaukee Theatre
25 – Detroit, MI – Fox Theatre
27 – Chicago, IL – Rosemont Theatre
29 – Lincoln, NE – Pershing Center
31 – St. Charles, MO – Family Arena

November 2009
2 – Cedar Park, TX – Cedar Park Center
4 – Lubbock, TX – United Spirit Arena
6 – Las Vegas, NV – The Joint
7 – Phoenix, AZ – Arizona State Fair
18 – Victoria, British Columbia – Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre
20 – Calgary, Alberta – Saddledome
22 – Kelowna, British Columbia – Prospera Place
24 – Seattle, WA – WaMu Theater
28 – Reno, NV – Reno Events Center
29 – San Jose, CA – Event Center at San Jose University

December 2009
1 – Fresno, CA – Save Mart Center at Fresno State
3 – Las Cruces, NM – Pan American Center
5 – Beaumont, TX – Ford Park Arena
7 – Corpus Christi, TX – American Bank Center
10 – Columbus, GA – Columbus Civic Center
11 – Pensacola, FL – Pensacola Civic Center
13 – Hollywood, FL – Seminole Hard Rock Live Arena