Gov. Rick Perry busts a move to "Green Acres"

Former Texas governor Rick Perry put the pep back in his step Monday night on ABC’s Dancing with the Stars, flaunting an energetic smile and busting a move to the catchy theme song of the TV sitcom “Green Acres” with his partner Emma Slater.

His quickstep performance, however, didn’t impress the judges. Bruno Tonioli Lee described it as a “bad cold you can’t get rid of” while Len Goodman said it needed “a bit more polish.” One judge--Carrie Ann Inaba--was more forgiving, though, calling the stint “perky and efficient.”

This is the second week in a row in which Perry delivered a sub-par dance performance. Last Monday, Perry received the lowest contestant score for his cha-cha to the song “God Blessed Texas.” The stakes are getting higher, though: the first contestant, Jake T. Austin, the star of “Wizards of Waverly Place,” was eliminated Tuesday. 

The two-time presidential candidate and longest serving Texas governor acknowledged his two left feet in an interview with The Texas Tribune, but he added that he’s using the publicity to promote veterans’ awareness, as well as to prepare of his daughter’s fall nuptials.

The 66-year-old’s dance moves may not have received a roaring applause from the judges, but they did get the attention of a fellow Texan:

Perry isn’t the first politician--or Texan-- to be featured on the show. Former House Majority Leader Tom Delay (R-TX) appeared on Dancing with the Stars in 2009, but subsequently withdrew because of two stress fractures in his feet.