No Christine O'Donnell, No Politicians on Next 'Dancing With the Stars'

Former Delaware Senate candidate Christine O'Donnell has turned down an invitation to be on "Dancing With the Stars" after teasing fans with the prospect last week.

"I'm honored to have been invited to participate in one of the few uplifting TV shows out there," O'Donnell said in a statement on her website. "The physical challenge made it all the more appealing. Meeting challenges head-on makes us stronger. Yet, for now, I have another challenge before me; to complete a book that tells the story of the 2010 election cycle with the dignity and respect it deserves."

The move comes as a bit of a surprise. The GOP tea party candidate who began her famous campaign commercial by saying, "I'm not a witch," a reference to her previous statements about dabbling in witchcraft, was considered a popular potential contestent.

And it's probably a downer for the ABC and its popular ballroom dancing reality show. The show received its highest ratings last fall when Bristol Palin, daughter of former Alaska governor and 2010 vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin, finished third. Bristol's presence as a "teen activist," i.e., unwed mom, caused plenty of controversy that fueled viewership and fan voting on the show.

With O'Donnell's rejection, DWTS will premiere March 21 with a cast of 10 celebrity dancers paired with ballroom professionals. None of the Season 12 celebrities has political connections.

Among this season's stars: former "Cheers" star Kirstie Alley; the original "Karate Kid," Ralph Macchio; boxer Sugar Ray Leonard; football wide receiver Hines Ward and others.

While they're punishing the parquet, O'Donnell apparently will be hunkered down with her book.

"It is my hope that this book will serve as a clarion call to my fellow citizen-activists by taking the reader beyond petitions and protests and articulating not just what we should do, but why we must do it," she wrote on her website. "My goal is for the book and the new PAC I'm starting to serve as resources to activate and motivate those in this middle-class movement who worked so hard to launch the new revolution. If either of these projects were further along, I would be lacing up my dancing shoes right now."