(CNN) - Tom DeLay's dancing days have come to an end.
While miraculously escaping another round of elimination on ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" Tuesday night, the former Republican House majority leader voluntarily withdrew from the widely-watched competition on recommendations from his doctor and the show's producers.
The man once known as "The Hammer" on Capitol Hill said he was just too injured to continue, developing stress fractures in both his feet that made it very difficult to endure the rigors of the competition.
Delay originally remained defiant in the face of such pain, declaring last week, "nothing's going to stop me from doing this dance." But this week's round of competition proved too taxing on the 62 year-old, evidenced by a wince-inducing performance Monday of the samba to War's "Why can't we be friends."
In the end, the man who gave in to few fights in Washington had to call it quits on the ABC hit series.
"If you can't practice, you make a fool of yourself out here," DeLay said. "I don't want to do that to [my dancing partner] Cheryl."
Carried out on wheelbarrow on "Jimmy Kimmel Live" Tuesday night, DeLay appeared slightly embarrassed over the development: "A boy from Texas breaking his feet dancing...," he said to laughter.
Still though, DeLay remained confident his skills could have carried him forward.
"Can you shake your booty like I can?" Delay asked a skeptical Kimmel.
Asked if he his performance will inspire other indicted politicians to dance, Delay - who was charged with criminal violations of state campaign finance laws but never convicted - said "hey, it keeps you out of jail."
"But God for bid if you end up in jail, it's not a good thing for the inmates to see on reruns," Kimmel replied.
From CNN Politics
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Like Palin, he quit. Big deal, and did she really say "This is no time to get cold feet" about Obama? She has no more idea of what 'ironic' means than Alanis Morrisette.
Will that affect his ability to toe tap at the airport?
Finally! He was an embarrassment...............is he that hard up for money??
Even having as little respect for him as a person as I do, I must admit he made a valiant effort.
I'm pitching a new show; it combines Dancing with the Stars, Survivor, and So You Think You Can Dance. I'm calling it "So You Think You Can Dance With Those Scars?"
Worst group of DWTS competitors in as long as I can remember.
Do I really need to comment on this. Looks like "the Hammer" got nailed. My apologies to anyone that already suggested this pun.
I guess his health care package (and our tax dollars) will pay to patch him up. We would still be lying there.
News flash............Palin/Delay 2012!!!
Campaign slogans..........Pitbull that Quits and When my feet hurt "I" quit. Is that going "rogue"?
he tried but he did not conquer! you have to give the guy credit even if you dont like him or his political views..he did have an excellent partner however who choreographed fo his abiltiy (or lack of) as a dancer...
Hey, Tom all that fancy dancing won't keep the Feds from pressing charges & lock you up. Save all that energy in case you need to do some dancing in the Federal penitentiary,
OK, he's gone, I can watch the show now.
And this is what press called "Liberals"?
You, people,behaving like a bunch of attack dogs.
At least He tried.
And what are you doing?
Barking from behind the screen?
C'mon seriously. Insulting the guy for trying unsuccessfully to compete through stress fractures.
Partisanship is a full-time sport apparently...
The less we see of him and Bush, the quicker my state can hold it's head up again. The dixie chicks were right about Bush. DeLay is worse because he is too smart to be unaware of how corrupt and damaging his gang on the hill were. I can actually believe Bush was not paying attention.
Welcome to the party of quitters. Now that he is through with DWTS, maybe he should go directly to jail. Do not pass GO.
I feel sorry for Delay, he totally making a fool of himself. Talk about EGO!
CNN, why is this news? Who cares??????
what a joke this guy is.
Do I like or respect Tom Delay. Of course not. But I'm sorry his feet hurt. Get better soon, Tom!
Dancing with the quitters....
Winners never quit....quitters never win....