Rapping MLA an internet sensation

A website known for show business gossip has a new beat: New Brunswick politics.

New Brunswick Liberal MLA T.J. Burke stood in the provincial legislature recently to criticize the Conservative Opposition leader, and ended up doing his best rendition of Pants On The Ground, a song that debuted this month on American Idol.

General Larry Platt, the contestant who composed and performed the rap on American Idol, didn't pass his audition. But his performance is all over YouTube.

Since Friday, the video of Burke's rendition has become popular on several websites, including the show business site TMZ.com.

The politician's video has already received more than 10,700 hits on YouTube.

Burke was responding to comments made on CBC by Conservative Opposition Leader David Alward about the government's plan to sell NB Power assets to Hydro-Québec.

Burke said those comments left Alward with his "pants down."

"The leader of the Conservative party was very clearly caught on CBC with his pants on the ground," he said.

That's when Burke burst into song. 

"Pants on the ground, pants on the ground, looking like a fool with his pants on the ground," he rapped while snapping his fingers. He was met with a round of applause from his fellow MLAs.

Burke said he has had many requests from television and radio stations in Canada and the United States to repeat his performance, but has no plans to do so or to seek a career in singing or dancing.

Burke was a cabinet minister in Premier Shawn Graham's government until last July when he resigned after being shuffled to Environment after several controversies in the Department of Justice.

He remained as MLA for Fredericton-Nashwaaksis.