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February 13, 2012
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David G. Savage: Why activists may not be in a hurry to have High Court rule on alternative marriage
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Kimberly Palmer: How to actually enjoy -- relaxing, financially -- your vacation
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Menachem Wecker: Though Controversial, LL.M.'s Can Lead to Specialized Legal Jobs
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February 7, 2012
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Jeffrey Fleishman: In newly democratic Egypt, tens of democracy activists jailed, to stand trial; their groups are 'threatening the stability of the homeland'
Julie Deardorff : Researchers say antioxidants may not be that effective and could do more harm than good
Mark Clayton: How did Anonymous hackers eavesdrop on FBI and Scotland Yard?
February 3, 2012
Edmund Sanders : Israeli official says Iran is creating missile that could reach East Coast of US
Victoria Kim: Immigrant-smuggling ring used black drivers to avoid racial profiling
February 2, 2012
Jim Carney: Wrong number call may have saved her life
Reza Kahlili : Ex-CIA spy in Iran's Revolutionary Guard: What Obama doesn't grasp about striking deals with Tehran
Tina Susman: For woodchuck rescuer, every day is Groundhog Day
February 1, 2012
Brian Bennett: US officials see increasing threat of domestic attack from Iran
Emily Brandon: How to Take Advantage of New 401(k) Fee Disclosures
January 31, 2012
January 30, 2012
Paul Richter and Ramin Mostaghim: Misreading Teheran's limits -- deadly and economically devastating as they may be -- is a risk administration, Europe seem willing to take
Suzanne Bohan: Warning: Nap-deprived tots missing more than sleep, study finds
Meg Handley: Banks Revamping Rewards Programs to Woo Customers
January 27, 2012
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Yochonon Donn: In liberal New York City, fervently-Orthodox Jews may soon be getting a district to call their own
Jeannine Stein: An inflated ego and thinking you're 'all that' doesn't just make others sick of you, it can make you ill
Katy Hopkins: New budget rules may affect how much money you get for college
January 26, 2012
Ed Koch: To the New York Times, calling for the murder of Jews by those capable of having their incitement taken seriously isn't news
Jeannine Stein: Mental illness struck one in five U.S. adults in 2010: Report
January 25, 2012
Richard Simon: House passes two bills endorsing the use of religious symbols at military memorials
Fred Weir: Putin: Multiethnic Russia cannot survive as a US-style 'melting pot'; must find its own way
Susan Johnston: 5 Sneaky Coupon Strategies Consumers Should Watch Out For
January 24, 2012
Carol Clark: The price of your soul: How your brain decides whether to 'sell out'
Caroline B. Glick: America lost most in 'Arab Spring'. Sadly, many voters still don't grasp the extent
Warren Richey: Drug criminal scores win in GPS ruling from conservative-leaning high court
Erika Bolstad: Black conservatives gather to talk about gaining strength
January 23, 2012
Melissa Dribben: Jewish voters to play a key role in Florida's Republican primary
Jordan Rau: In quest to grow, Catholic hospital system will announce this morning its break from church
Ali Safi: U.S. envoy gives Taliban terms for peace talks
January 19, 2012
January 18, 2012
January 17, 2012
Frank J. Gaffney Jr.: No-kidding red lines: U.S. response to an Iranian nuke may be bluster, but Israel's won't be
David G. Savage: They sued their principals after slandering them online --- now the cases are headed to the Supreme Court
David Francis: Where to Invest in 2012: With stocks expected to rebound, opportunity abounds for investors
January 13, 2012
Ben Lynfield: Israeli lawmakers move to annex Jewish Judea, one museum at a time
Alexia Elejalde-Ruiz: Thriving through touch: Gentle massage helps older people with low mobility improve in mind and body
January 12, 2012
Warren Richey: Landmark Supreme Court ruling a 'resounding win' for religious groups
Warren Richey: Supreme Court says no to new rule on eyewitness testimony
John Fauber : Statins found to raise diabetes risk in postmenopausal women
Katy Hopkins : Consider This Before You Pay for an Online Degree
The Kosher Gourmet by Joseph Erdos: This mushroom and barley soup has an intense -- almost nutty -- flavor that mixes robust with Middle East. It has creaminess without cream
January 11, 2012
Shari Roan: Millions of atrial fibrillation sufferers at risk for devastating, but preventable, stroke
Tom Hussain: Pakistan -- recipient of more than $21 billion in civilian and military aid -- speeds pursuit of Iranian pipeline, defying US
David G. Savage: High court signals it won't be loosening TV's 'indecency' rules
Stephen Ceasar: Oklahoma's Islamic law amendment can't go into effect, court rules
January 10, 2012
Reza Kahlili: From an ex-CIA spy: US must exploit new split in Iran's Revolutionary Guard
Karen Kaplan: Study: Nicotine replacement products ineffective when used in real-life situations
January 9, 2012
Michael Doyle: Put through legal hell over dream home, couple fought back hard --- all the way to Supreme Court
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Jewish World Review
Oct. 13, 2009
/ 25 Tishrei 5770
Dancin' DeLay
By
Cheri Jacobus
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http://www.JewishWorldReview.com |
Come on admit it. You've been watching. Secretly. Perhaps just a little bit embarrassed as you close the shades so the neighbors don't see what you're tuning in to as you settle in with your popcorn in front of the TV. It's all just too good to miss. Maybe you even TiVo it.
Former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-Texas) has been competing on season 9 of ABC's "Dancing With the Stars" and not totally sucking at this thing, as so many had assumed and perhaps even hoped. In fact, he's charming, funny (on purpose, mostly and surprisingly), and seems to be having the time of his life. He's even dare I say it sorta graceful!
I guess there really is life after politics. It's also a relatively safe bet there are at least a handful of members of Congress who are a bit jealous.
After all, Tom DeLay looked to be having a heck of a lot more fun than most elected officials in Washington these days. There are likely a few who are angered he isn't living the gloomy post-congressional existence members dread may lie in their own futures with their glory days in Congress in the rearview mirror. In some ways, DeLay was putting his finger in the eye of the congressional life he left behind, and those still fanning the flames of his legal troubles.
But where many head to K Street or return home to their pre-congressional careers, Tom DeLay, a former exterminator, chose a pretty interesting gig for his next phase of life.
At age 62, DeLay is no spring chicken, but hardly ready to be put out to pasture, either, as he has proven to the world these past few weeks. Other men his age may have a few aches and pains to complain about, mostly the usual stuff that accompanies growing older. The Hammer, as he was known in Congress, now boasts an athlete's injury with a couple of stress fractures in his feet the kind that often plagues runners, gymnasts and, yes, dancers. In a way, it's a badge of honor.
Unfortunately, the injuries have sidelined him, forcing him out of the competition, but with good luck and an even better agent, maybe into lucrative product endorsements.
On Monday night DeLay was rather politically incorrect after dancing his samba while facing the judges alongside his dance partner, Cheryl Burke. Given the opportunity to milk his injuries, as some contestants have done in the past with supreme drama, when asked how he was able to pull it off, how did he manage to do it, and how, by the way, was he feeling after a rigorous performance, which show producers and doctors advised against, he declined to take the bait. He simply said, "I'm fine." I guess he figured he would either win or lose this thing on merit and talent (or lack thereof), but not on pity. Not on your life. Not the Hammer. And I don't pity him. I kind of admire him.
If nothing else, Mr. DeLay's shimmies, wiggles and glides across the dance floor provide him with one of the more interesting Wikipedia entries of modern politicians, along with those other items.
DeLay left Congress under a cloud. While not implicated personally, two of his staffers were convicted in the Jack Abramoff scandal. DeLay himself was charged with criminal violations of Texas campaign finance laws, plus money laundering. Travis County District Attorney Ronnie Earle, a Democrat, has yet to bring the case before a jury, more than four years after the indictments. DeLay pleaded not guilty, and one count on election law violations was dropped. Earle is not seeking reelection.
Tom DeLay has been productive since exiting Congress. He's written a book. He and his wife have been working on their Texas-based foster care center. And then there's that dancing.
With Tom DeLay now but a fading memory on "Dancing With the Stars," I've decided to root for the one whose smiling face graced my bedroom walls from dozens of Tiger Beat magazine photos when I was a young girl. In the end, I think I always knew my heart really still belonged to Donny Osmond. (Sorry, Tom.)
Every weekday JewishWorldReview.com publishes what many in the media and Washington consider "must-reading". Sign up for the daily JWR update. It's free. Just click here.
To comment, please click here.
JWR contributor Cheri Jacobus, president of Capitol Strategies PR, has managed congressional campaigns, worked on Capitol Hill and is an adjunct professor at George Washington University's Graduate School of Political Management. She is a columnist for The Hill and appears on CNN, MSNBC and FOX News as a GOP strategist.
Previously:
09/26/09: Paterson under the bus
09/14/09: Start over, Mr. President
© 2009, Cheri Jacobus
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