This season’s “Dancing with the Stars” lineup has been announced, but one typecast is noticeably missing.
Where is the Washingtonian?
The new cast, which includes reality TV mom Kate Gosselin, ex-“Baywatch” babe Pamela Anderson and astronaut Buzz Aldrin, has no politico dancing about like former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay did last season.
DeLay, who applauded the new picks when they were revealed Tuesday, told Yeas & Nays he wasn’t surprised no pol would take the heat.
“Well, you know when I was on the show, the producers told me that every year they have tried to get somebody connected with politics and it’s just been really difficult,” DeLay said.
“I guess they’d rather dance around the issues than make themselves vulnerable on national TV,” he added.
That said, DeLay had a few recruits for a bipartisan dream team in mind.
On the Democrats’ side: Nancy Pelosi, President Obama (he’s in “pretty good shape,” DeLay said) and Al Gore.
“I think Al Gore probably doesn’t have anything else to do anymore, since global warming has been pretty discredited,” DeLay said, laughing.
An appearance might also help boost the Dems’ approval numbers, he said.
“They’ve got to forget all those boring health care summits, if the Democrats really want to move their likability they should field a contestant for ‘Dancing with the Stars,'” he said.
When it comes to the Republicans, DeLay mentioned Sen. Scott Brown’s daughter Ayla, who once competed on “American Idol,” and Sarah Palin.
“She obviously has the time and she needs to keep her name out in front of the American people,” DeLay explained. “I think the American people would love a dancing president.”
DeLay, who left the show last season because he was dancing on dual stress fractures, continues to dance today, occasionally putting himself and his fancy footwork on the auction block for charity.
“If you buy me I’ll dance with you, as long as you’re female,” he noted. And since he’s still in shape, he’d love to reprise his role for a reunion.
If that doesn’t work out, the former congressman has other reality show ambitions, with a show in the works where he would play a “Donald Trump” type character.
“I don’t know if anybody is going to buy it, but I’ve been approached,” he hinted.
“Dancing with the Stars” 10th season debuts March 22.
