Conservative DeLay cuts loose on 'Dancing'

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 22 (UPI) -- Former Republican House Majority Leader Tom DeLay of Texas shook up the dance floor during his debut on ABC's "Dancing With the Stars."

The 52-year-old conservative leader cut loose with a hip-shaking, lip-syncing version of the rock classic "Wild Thing," dancing the cha-cha with two-time DWTS Champion professional Cheryl Burke.

"I know that if I want to do well in the cha-cha, I'm going to have to vote with the Republicans and party with the Democrats," DeLay said in a pre-dance taped interview. The former congressman injured his foot during rehearsals.

After DeLay and Burke finished their routine, judge Bruno Tonioli said, "You are even crazier than Sarah Palin," referring to the former Alaska governor and GOP vice presidential candidate.

Despite the slide across the floor, and the pantomimed whip-cracking, the team scored only so-so marks to advance to next week's competition.

DeLay, one-time power broker in the U.S. House of Representatives, resigned from Congress more than three years ago after being indicted in federal and state courts on allegations of violating campaign finance laws.