Tom DeLay's Debut Dance: Shakin' It

When Tom DeLay shook his butt one last time for the judges on "Dancing with the Stars," my first thought was, this is just still so strange. Host Tom Bergeron even said it was something "I am not sure I would see."

But in the smile and the moves and the outfits, DeLay may have done more to change his image than a grand jury handing down an indictment. They question is just what the image is.

Actually, you couldn't help but like the guy for sheer dancemanship. Only once did he worry about the embarrassment. Otherwise, he fretted over being able to get in touch with "his feminine side."

In his outfit of brown slacks and rhinestone lined vest, DeLay actually as quite controlled in his moves during his initial cha cha cha with partner Cheryl Burke. Without incident as the song "Wild Thing" played, he slid to the floor on his knees --- surely his most skillful move.

"You are crazier than Sarah Palin!" judge Bruno Tonioli told him afterward.

"That was surreal," said judge Carrie Ann Inaba.

"Some parts were magic, some parts were tragic," said judge Len Goodman.

Their score: 16 out of 30. Not great. But not terrible. He and Burke may very well be back.

“I got bigger critics than those judges,” DeLay quipped.

DeLay was shakier in a ballroom relay dance with Burke, and they ranked fourth out of all four pairings.

DeLay insists his motives are purely to win --- and have fun. Nevertheless, one Democratic org used the occasion to remind voters of DeLay's record as the Hammer. A good government group held a screening part in D.C. tonight. And some of DeLay's former GOP colleagues are still scratching their heads.