As he awaits trial on money laundering charges, disgraced former House Majority Leader Tom Delay on Monday launched the latest phase of his extremist makeover on ABC's "Dancing with the Stars." Two years after publishing his book and 18 months after starting the Coalition for a Conservative Majority, Delay turned to the Cha Cha to complete his resurrection. Which is altogether fitting for the man who repeatedly compared himself to Jesus Christ.
Delay's Christ complex first manifested itself in 2001 as he explained to the Washington Post the opposition to his none-too-subtle campaign to bring his fundamentalism to the United States Congress. "People hate the messenger," Delay announced, adding, "That's why they killed Christ." On the day of his booking five years later, Delay told Time he prayed:
"Let people see Christ through me."
As it turns out, the similarities between Jesus and Tom Delay are striking:
While Tom Delay was on Dancing with the Stars, for Vision America founder Pastor Rick Scarborough, Delay like Jesus walks on water. Welcoming the fallen House Majority Leader to his 2007 "War on Christians" conference, Scarborough declared:
"I believe the most damaging thing that Tom DeLay has done in his life is take his faith seriously into public office, which made him a target for all those who despise the cause of Christ."
For his part, Delay did not disappoint. Delay, who once said, "I don't believe there is a separation of church and state" and proclaimed his mission was to bring "a biblical worldview to government," wowed the friendly crowd at the "War on Christians" event:
"Sides are being chosen, and the future of man hangs in the balance! The enemies of virtue may be on the march, but they have not won, and if we put our trust in Christ, they never will."
As Delay left the stage that day, Pastor Scarborough said "God always does his best work after a crucifixion" and urged the Hammer, "Keep your eyes on Jesus."
He would do better to keep his eyes on the Dancing with the Stars judges – and prosecutor Ronnie Earle.
