by Mark Silva
Tom DeLay is one Wild Thing.
"One thing I liked in politics was the challenge and the competition,'' the former Republican House Whip and Majority Leader says of his cha-cha-cha on Dancing With the Stars, "and this is just like that.''
Seasoned political watchers may be hard-pressed, however, to recall the Texan political enforcer sliding across the floor on his knees and raising a microphone to his mouth for a Karaoke-worthy howl of "Wild Thing,'' the way DeLay did on national television this week.
"One thing I wasn't prepared for in learning to dance was getting in touch with my feminine side,'' DeLay said of his training for the ABC dance show, and some of the steps just didn't fit him: "Going left for me is absolutely outrageous.''
DeLay, 62 and among eight celebrity male contests making their debut on the show Monday, bounced and swayed to the tune of a cover of the old Troggs standard -- "Wild thing, you make my heart sing. You make everything... groovy'' - with a bikini-clad professional dance partner Cheryl Burke.
"You are crazier than Sarah Palin,'' judge Bruno told DeLay.
"I just busted out laughing,'' Burke said, "because I was, like, I can't believe this old man is here on his one knee playing the guitar and doing exactly what I told him to do, no questions asked.''
""Parts were magic, parts were tragic," judge Len Goldman said.
DeLay was "The Hammer'' in the House, known for ruling his party's ranks, before resigning in 2006 after indictment on charges of campaign finance law violations, and "the Exterminator,'' for the pest control company he owned in Texas.
Last night, he was simply "Wild Thing.''
"I have to say I nailed it," said DeLay, wearing orthopedic shoes for his wild cha-cha-cha. "I felt good. My hips were working. Cheryl held me up and I really, I did it. I nailed it."
DeLay finished with 20 points - better than Ashley Hamilton, son of actor George Hamilton, or football star Michael Irvin, the two tied with the night's low of 19 points. Singer Donny Osmond placed second with 30. Singer Aaron Carter carried the night, with 32 of a possible 40.
DeLay, assessing the score-cards, exclaimed: "Next week.''
Comments
In an attempt to tone down the nasty rhetoric.......I'll give him an ata boy for trying.
Posted by: bill r. | September 22, 2009 2:08 PM
Obviously, disgraced Republicans will do anything to get on TV.
Posted by: K | September 22, 2009 2:19 PM
Bug Man DeLay must be hard up for cash to humiliate himself like this. His dancing was terrible. He should be in prison instead of making an arse out of himself on national tv.
Posted by: Sharla | September 22, 2009 2:37 PM
Tsk, tsk, tsk. How absolutely morally reprehensible. I'm shocked and appalled, offended to the very CORE of my being!
The nerve! Having a man and a woman out there, gyrating their hips like that, IN PUBLIC, for all to see -- dancing up close in ways God never, ever, ever intended. Why, Jesus must be up in heaven crying as we speak to see such lewd, lascivious carryings-on! Way to go, Tom -- how does it FEEL to make Jesus cry? Hope you enjoyed yourself, because He's gonna send you right to H - E - double TOOTHPICKS for it! Why, yes he surely WILL!!
There was a time when the great Tom DeLay really stood for something -- blatant disregard for the unimportant little people looking up to him for leadership, unrepentant greed, unabashed willingness to sell his soul for the Republican party -- things that made America GREAT! Now, he's just another cheap "look at me!" attention-slut. How far he has fallen! I'd have expected better from a Republican -- more decorum and better taste! Oh, how very embarassing!
The inhumanity of it all! I weep -- I wail -- I gnash my teeth and pray for the forgiveness of us all in this singularly tragic moment! For SHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAME, Mr. DeLay! For SHAME!
Posted by: Op109 | September 22, 2009 2:41 PM
I'm gonna hurl....
Posted by: Kenny Bunkport | September 22, 2009 4:05 PM
The media and the Democrats demanded that Tom DeLay stand down when his ethical problems surfaced.
The media and the Democrats are silent regarding Charlie Rangel failing to pay his taxes and other ethical failings and I hear no calls for him to step down
Posted by: Pat H | September 22, 2009 4:08 PM
Isn't the Cha-Cha one of them illegal immigrant dances? I think we need a law makin' square dancin' the official Amerkin dance.
Posted by: Republican Base | September 22, 2009 4:23 PM
The media and the Democrats are silent regarding Charlie Rangel failing to pay his taxes and other ethical failings and I hear no calls for him to step down
Posted by: Pat H | September 22, 2009 4:08 PM
==========================
We'll accept anything old Charlie does as long as he doesn't make a fool of himself dancing on TV.
Posted by: Kenneth Janowski | September 22, 2009 5:00 PM
Ken J:
I prefer old goofs dancing and making fools of themselves.
I want my politicians paying their taxes, especially the individual who writes the tax laws!
Posted by: Pat H | September 22, 2009 6:20 PM
What I want to know is, "Since when are ex-cons considered stars?"
I mean, come on, I think most would agree that those who follow Manson as if he were some sort of superstar, are SICK. So how is it that this criminal, who is guilty of everything from campaign fraud to accepting bribery, sex scandals, and covering up the practice of forced abortions for his (slave) workers in the Marianna Islands, how can he seriously be on this program as a 'star' in the first place?
Just when I thought Americans' appetite for sensationalism couldn't be any worse, it has reached a brand new LOW! While I can see why people may be interested in sordid tales, I can NOT understand this kind of celebration or honor being placed on a completely immoral criminal!
Posted by: Heather M | September 22, 2009 6:23 PM
What's next? Glenn Beck on,,,, on,,,
gee, there is no comparison.
I will say this; This shrewd move could put Tom first in line for the '12 Republican nomination for POTUS!
Posted by: C.Morris✧ | September 22, 2009 8:28 PM
Ah yes, the 'Devil's beat' has claimed another soul.
Posted by: BlueBirdWhisperer | September 22, 2009 8:31 PM
Heather, how many drugs are you on? First of all, comparing Tom DeLay to Charles Manson? You Loony Lefters really are off the deep end, aren't you? Second, Tom DeLay hasn't been convicted of anything. In fact, it seems that the charges brought against him were trumped up and will never get anywhere.
Sex scandals? Abortions of slaves? Wow, you have quite the vivid, and SICK, imagination!
Posted by: John D | September 22, 2009 8:39 PM
why is he dancing???
Posted by: lukejames | September 22, 2009 10:16 PM
Tom DeLay hasn't been convicted of anything
Posted by: John D | September 22, 2009 8:39 PM
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
.
Neither has Charlie Rangel, but that hasn't stopped you from bleating about it everyday.
Posted by: janet | September 22, 2009 11:01 PM
Mark, Dancing with the Stars? Well, I guess you have had plenty of practice covering acting and entertainment following Obama. And, really that's all you media people are these days is just entertainment reporters. Hey pres Obama, how about them White Sox? Boxers or briefs?
You wouldn't want to uncover and scandals like ACORN, so leave the hard news to those that will soon replace you...
Posted by: Gary | September 22, 2009 11:45 PM
Heather, I dislike DeLay so much I'd never watch this show. The mere idea makes me shudder. But seriously, being on "Dancing with the Stars" is akin to a "celebration or honor"? Have you ever watched that show???
Posted by: lochnesssmonster | September 23, 2009 6:55 AM
I'm gonna hurl....
Posted by: Kenny Bunkport | September 22, 2009 4:05 PM
Already did; twice!
Posted by: Tim | September 23, 2009 10:53 AM
C. Morris, Glen Beck can host crying with the stars.
Posted by: pd | September 23, 2009 12:50 PM
Stick to politics, Tom. It's not nearly as demeaning.
Posted by: Disinterested Observer | September 23, 2009 5:12 PM
pd,
Or a remake of 'Queen for a Day'.
It always ended with waterworks.
That's all I'm sayin'.
Posted by: C.Morris✧ | September 23, 2009 8:50 PM
Dumb Dumb Janet, Rangel is under investigation and for a lot more than DeLay was. Yet, just because he was under investigation, DeLay was forced to give up his leadership position and then resigned.
Some differences between Rangel and DeLay:
1. Fact and Proof: Rangel never cited an offshore home on his taxes.
2. Fact and Proof: Rangel used campaign money for a home.
3. Fact and Proof: Rangel just "found" a $500,000 checking account.
4. Fact and Proof: Rangel just declared millions in assets he never did and in some cases said he never knew he had.
5. DeLay: Resigned four years ago and still no trial because evidence was rather flimsy to begin with.
Posted by: John D | September 23, 2009 9:46 PM