GREEN & GLOVER: Think you can dance?

Ever since former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, Texas Republican, went on the hit television show “Dancing With the Stars,” his friends back in Washington have grown some happy feet, too, or so it appeared from our vantage point at the Meridian Ball on Friday night at the old-school glamorous Meridian House in Northwest.

The Meridian International Center, which has promoted international understanding through exchange programs and cultural diplomacy since 1960, holds its ball every fall as its largest fundraiser for the year.

We first spotted Rep. Norm Dicks, Washington Democrat, passionately twirling his wife, Suzanne, around the tented dance floor while a deejay belted out hits from Prince, Michael Jackson and Lady Gaga for the guests.

It’s not every day that you see a politician boogieing with such abandon, especially while wide-eyed gawkers look on.

“Where did you learn to dance so well, congressman?” we asked the frisky couple.

“We’ve been married for 47 years,” came the reply from Mrs. Dicks.

And we thought it was the champagne.

Meanwhile, inside the house near a jazz band was the Director of the White House Office of Energy and Climate Change Policy Carol Browner, elegant in a black staples gown and sporting a French twist that showcased her swanlike neck.

She, too, was not the least hesitant to bust some moves with her husband, Thomas Downey, with whom she danced ballroom style.

Like the Dickses, she’s had lots of practice, as well.

“I learned to dance with my sisters growing up,” she said.

Not far away, we spied Rep. Rick Larsen, Washington Democrat, and Rep. Buck McKeon, California Republican, in a cozy huddle.

When we informed Mr. Larsen that someone from his delegation was showing him up in the dancing department while he stood idle gabbing, he laughed and said, “I’m sure he’s [Mr. Dicks] doing enough dancing for all of us.”

Not long after, we, indeed, did see Mr. Larsen and his wife Tiia getting down, but with regret, we will have to give the higher score to Mr. Dicks.

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