When there’s “idol” praise to be made, the state’s two top executives are at the ready. And Missouri’s junior senator even delivered a floor speech on her ”idol’s” behalf.

Late Wednesday and earlier today, Gov. Matt Blunt and Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder each quickly e-mailed statements lauding the victory of Missouri’s own David Cook on ”American Idol.”

Later today, U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., delivered her accolades on the Senate floor.

First, the governor:

 “Melanie and I congratulate America’s newest idol David Cook,” Blunt said. “David’s tremendous vocal talents, performance skills and the momentum of this victory will serve him well as he continues his music career. On behalf of all Missourians I offer our congratulations to David and wish him the best.”

 Blunt noted that Cook is a native of Blue Springs, and a 2006 graduate of the University of Central Missouri.

Said Kinder, in his lengthy blog post:

“In my travels throughout our great state, I have met so many talented and gifted people who give so much joy and happiness to their fellow Missourians…A young man named David Cook from Blue Springs, Missouri showed the world the kind of talent we have in our great state by winning the title of American Idol after a world record 97.5 million votes were cast.

“For the record, David received 56 percent of the vote, which is impressive since most politicians are lucky to get close to such a margin of victory.

“(Trust me on this one.)…It is Missourians like David who exemplify what it means to be a ‘Show Me Stater.’ “

Said McCaskill in her floor remarks:

“Mr. President, I want to congratulate a Missourian who has accomplished something truly remarkable. 

“We have known our share of champions in Missouri, like the 2006 St. Louis Cardinals and the Big 12 North winning University of Missouri football team.  We’ve also had our share of great entertainers, like Josephine Baker, Scott Joplin, and Sheryl Crow.  But it is very rare that we have someone who is both…

“David’s victory was remarkable even by American Idol’s standards.  The show has become one of the greatest competitions the country has ever witnessed.  It is ubiquitous.  It is practically unavoidable.  And with the eyes of the whole country watching, David Cook won American Idol by the incredible margin of 12 million votes out of a record 97.5 million votes cast.  His performances, along with those of David Archuleta, the other worthy finalist, drew in more viewers than watched the season finale last year. 

“It is telling of the graciousness and humility of this superbly talented young man that David didn’t even intend to try out for the show.  The only reason he was at the audition was to support his brother.  But while entering the contest may have been accidental, it is no accident that the country voted him the next American Idol.  His easy confidence and visible passion (not to mention that voice!), made him the clear choice.   He was also one of the nicest contestants ever to appear on the show – even notoriously grumpy Simon Cowell said so…” 

Even state experts are weighing in. At the University of Missouri School of Journalism, radio-television professor Lee Wilkins said that “American Idol” is such a success “because it promotes individuality.”

In a release, he explained that Cook and runner-up David Archuleta “became leaders for today’s popular culture…”

” ‘This is a culture that’s celebrity saturated and American Idol is a celebrity making machine,’ ” Wilkins said. ” ‘It’s successful at that because the culture itself is receptive and because many of the contestants, not just the winners, have enormous appeal. People watch because the show plays on our notions of authenticity and individuality—this resonates in a culture that prizes these things…’ “

“ ‘It also harkens back to those Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney movies where some ‘kids’ would put on ‘shows’ in their backyards and finish with a Hollywood musical. All of us know people who are talented, and some of us have talent and we would like to succeed with it,’ ” Wilkins added.

An interesting take on the Idol phenomenon, which has a tenuous link to politics.

As many wags have said: politics often is seen as show business for homely people.