What is it about "Dancing With the Stars" that’s making folks act so nutty? First, disgraced former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay – who apparently has some time on his hands while awaiting trial in Texas for alleged political corruption – wrote a grim letter on behalf of contestant Sara Evans. DeLay exhorted viewers of the ABC audience-participation show – which launches a new season next Tuesday – to vote for the Republican country singer over contestant Jerry Springer, a Dem, because "we need to send a message to Hollywood and the media that smut has no place on television." Now the Rev. Al Sharpton, a staunch Democrat, has thrown his support behind conservative MSNBC pundit Tucker Carlson. "We are living in trying and uncertain times," the good reverend writes, tongue in cheek. "That’s why now, more than ever, we need a strong leader who will stand up for what we believe. Better yet, we need a leader who will dance for what we believe. Tucker Carlson is just such a dancer." Sharpton continues: "Watch Tucker do the cha-cha and then call in your vote to make sure he advances to the next week’s show. You can call as often as you like. Remember: Voting in celebrity dance contests is not just your right in this country, it’s a privilege. … If you sit back idly and fail to perform your civic duty, lesser dancers could win this competition. America simply cannot afford that. " Yesterday, Carlson admitted to me that he actively sought Sharpton’s endorsement. "Nobody turns out the vote like the Reverend Al," Carlson said. Sharpton, meanwhile, explained: "I want to balance the influence of DeLay and at the same time get a right-winger off talk television and help Tucker find another career. I think it would be a great contribution to society to have him as a cheeseball disco dancer than a talk-show host propagating right-wing politics."
Lloyd Grove
John Stewart is going to have a field day with this one.
