Dish-Houston

In a move startling even by the outlandish standards of reality television, aside from trying to cast Peter Bogdanovich on "I'm a Celebrity Get me out of Here", "Dancing With the Stars" announced this week that former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay -- a pugnacious politician under indictment for alleged money-laundering -- will be a contestant in the upcoming season.

The ninth season of the ABC show premieres Sept. 21. It's the highest-profile move by the former Republican power broker since he left Congress in 2006 after being indicted in Texas in 2005 in connection with alleged campaign finance violations, in a case that is still pending.

Green, one of the show's producers, said he wanted to include a politician to shake up the dynamics of the program, which pairs celebrities with professional dancers. He added that he considered DeLay's indictment before offering him the role, but decided it was not enough to keep him off the program. CAN YOU SMEEL THE DESIRE FOR A RATINGS GRAB???

"It's not a political decision, putting him on the show," he said. "It's just a bit of fun."

For his part, DeLay seems to have put politicking on the back burner (Which is probably where it should stay for him) for now and thrown himself into his new role as a reality-show contestant. His blog, TomDeLay.com, had been scrubbed of political content and been renamed "Dancing With DeLay."

"I think you'll be impressed by my moves," he wrote on his new Twitter account.

DeLay's wife, Christine, said the longtime politician, 62, is a big fan of the show and has been working out all summer to prepare for the rigorous contest. He has a repertoire that includes the two-step, polka, waltz, country swing and disco, she told Emily Miller, DeLay's former communications director, in an interview posted on Politics Daily.

The news of DeLay's selection triggered irate complaints from many fans and some amusement among the political cognoscenti. Shortly after host Tom Bergeron announced the new cast on "Good Morning America," angry viewers posted comments on ABC’s message board denouncing the decision to invite DeLay on the glittery dance program.

"Tom DeLay is an albatross that you've hung around your own necks," read one typical message. "I guess you guys couldn't help but to put a disgraceful political personality out there -- what's next a famous murderer? I hear Squeaky Fromme is available."

"I guess you couldn't get Bernie Madoff," wrote another viewer.

The response in Washington was more sardonic.

"Also: Denny Hastert to be on American Idol," ABC's chief White House correspondent, Jake Tapper, quipped on Twitter.

DeLay -- nicknamed "The Hammer" for the hardball tactics he used to keep members of Congress in line -- lost his powerful perch during a corruption scandal that ensnared former lobbyist Jack Abramoff, a close DeLay associate. Facing separate money-laundering charges filed by Ronnie Earle, then the Democratic district attorney in Travis County, Texas, DeLay decided not to seek reelection.

Earle did not respond to an e-mail for comment. A spokesman for his successor, Travis County Dist. Atty. Rosemary Lehmberg, had no comment. Prosecutors have been waiting for an appellate court to take action on motions filed by DeLay's co-defendants.

"Frankly, this case seems to have stalled completely," producer Green said Monday. "I believe in innocent before proven guilty."

In addition, Green said he hopes that the participation of a onetime prominent Republican lawmaker on the show will help him land one of his dream contestants: former President Bill Clinton. "For the honor of the Democratic Party, he needs to step up," he said.

No matter DeLay's dancing ability, Green said that the mere presence of the combative conservative will spark passionate involvement by the show's fans.

"If anyone knows how to mobilize the vote, it's Tom DeLay," he said.

DeLay already has a history of trying to corral support for contestants on the show. Shortly after leaving office in 2006, he sent a letter to supporters urging them to vote for country music star Sara Evans when she was competing on the program. DeLay noted that she was up against "ultra liberal talk show host Jerry Springer," adding: "We need to send a message to Hollywood and the media that smut has no place on television by supporting good people like Sara Evans."

Evans ended up quitting the program after filing for divorce from her husband of 13 years.

This is not the first time "Dancing With the Stars" has selected a contestant with legal problems. Rapper Lil' Kim, who was on Season 8, spent 10 months in prison for lying about a shooting. Two years ago, the show cast actor Vincent Pastore of "The Sopranos," who had pleaded guilty to attempted assault against his former fiancée. Pastore dropped out before the season began because of the physical demands.

Well it will will be nothing if not ... interesting?