Yahoo News: The Hammer does the hustle
Who knew former Representative Tom DeLay, aka “The Hammer,” had such a sense of humor? Such debonair dancing skills? Such grace under legal pressure?
Jaws hit the floor earlier this month when ABC announced that Tom DeLay, the ex-GOP majority leader of the House of Representatives, would be a contestant on the next “Dancing with the Stars.”
To say that it’s a surprise next move for someone who left Congress in 2006 under a legal cloud would be a mild understatement. In 2005, DeLay was indicted on conspiracy charges related to a campaign-finance probe; the case is still pending. Conrad Green, the show’s executive producer, told the L.A. Times that “we wanted someone sort of iconic and who the audience would have strong feelings about.”
ABC has now released photos of DeLay and partner Cheryl Burke“practicing,” (or, Cheryl dancing while DeLay stands with his arms held out.) But according to friends and family, DeLay indeed has the dancing chops to be on the show. Politics Daily’s Emily Miller, who worked for the former representative, confirms “first-hand that DeLay, 62, can cut a rug.” Miller interviewed DeLay’s wife, Christine, who said that her husband can two-step, polka, waltz, country swing and … disco. (You read right: The Hammer can DISCO.)
DeLay has embraced his new “job” with gusto: The L.A. Times reports that DeLay’s blog has ditched politics entirely in exchange for the latest news about his dancing career. His Twitter feed (1,819 followers so far) reads like an excited teen’s diary:
I’ve got the best dance partner in the bunch. I’m very excited. Can’t tell you until this weekend though.
In LA for rehearsals and title shoots. Also learning two dances. Cheryl says I am progressing very well.
I am back from LA. The photo shoot was so much fun. It was like going to Disneyland. You know politics is showbiz too.
