Will 'Dancing With the Stars' Land Christine O'Donnell?

Whether it's Christine O'Donnell, Todd Palin, Eliot Spitzer or Tipper Gore, "Dancing With the Stars" needs a politician when the season 12 lineup is announced Monday night.

Why do they need a politician? Well, look at the popularity boost the show got last fall when a politician's daughter -- Bristol Palin -- made it to the finals of the show.

Many quibbled with the selection -- what made Bristol a star? Her claim to fame was as an unmarried, teenage parent whose mother, Sarah Palin, is the former governor of Alaska and the 2008 GOP vice presidential nominee. She wasn't the greatest dancer, though she improved markedly over the season, and her shyness contrasted with the ebullience of other contestants.

But her political connections brought plenty of intrigue: Would Sarah Palin show up in the studio audience? (A couple of times.) Were those boos for her when she did? (No.) Were mom's supporters gaming the system? (Probably not.) Would she really win? (She came in third.) Her presence and the controversy surrounding it led to the show's highest ratings ever.

"Dancing With the Stars" could use a political celebrity presence in this and future seasons, too.

O'Donnell, the failed tea party candidate for a Delaware U.S. Senate seat and a Palin-family fave, appears to be the safest bet for Season 12.

She noted on her Facebook page last week that she'd received an official invitation, asking fans to for their advice. Some 400 comments later, she posted, "The facebook comments about Dancing w The Stars list great pros and cons. Thank you for your input. Still undecided. Book comes first."

That may be, but we're betting on O'Donnell. She'd be a great feature on the show with her sunny persona. She probably could use the cash that comes from appearing on the show, given the controversy during her campaign over whether she used contributions for her living expenses. But would she dance to The Eagles "Witchy Woman?" (Hey, she's the one who came up with the campaign ad that began with her proclaiming, "I'm not a witch.")

If O'Donnell doesn't accept her invite, Todd Palin is a remote possibility. One of the DWTS judges indicated last fall that perhaps the show needed a "Palin vacation." Todd just came off a tough second-place finish in Alaska's Iron Dog snowmobile race. And if his wife is planning to run for the GOP 2012 presidential nomination, an announcement likely would be necessary in the middle of the reality show's season.

Perhaps the show can find another last-minute political replacement if O'Donnell says no.

Our money says she's in. And that will be a good thing.