Interested in a round of golf with ethically challenged U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay?

Plop down $2,000 for U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson’s re-election campaign and you’re all set.

The occasion is Wilson’s third annual Hilton Head Golf Outing this Friday and Saturday. DeLay, second-ranking Republican in the House, is the special guest.

The event is attracting more media attention than usual because the Texas congressman is in serious danger of being declared in violation of House ethics rules.

Not surprisingly, the Democrats have attempted to make political hay of the fund-raiser by questioning Wilson’s wisdom in inviting the Republican leader.

“Of all the people he could bring to our state — why in the world would he bring Tom DeLay?” asked Lachlan McIntosh, executive director of the S.C. Democratic Party. “Instead of embracing DeLay, Wilson should join the growing number of Republicans who are calling for him to step down from the leadership.”

According to published reports:

n A representative of a foreign country paid for one of DeLay’s overseas trips.

n Registered lobbyist Jack Abramoff — indicted last week on unrelated fraud charges arising from a deal to buy casino boats that operated out of Myrtle Beach and Florida — used his credit card to pay for foreign airfare for DeLay.

Both actions are prohibited by House rules.

DeLay has also been accused of:

• Accepting gifts that exceeded congressional limits

• Taking an expense-paid trip overseas for longer than the rules allow

• Not disclosing all the benefits he received.

In his hour of need, amid allegations of unethical behavior, DeLay’s ideological brethren, like Wilson, are manning the barricades.

“The charges are politically motivated because Tom DeLay has been such an effective leader,” maintained Wilson, the Lexington County Republican.

Wilson rejected the notion that DeLay’s appearance might throw a damper on his fund-raiser, expected to take in a record $35,000.

“All the reaction to DeLay has been positive,” he noted. “This should be a record-setting event.”

Then he added, “I have the highest regard for Tom DeLay.”

The outing will take place over two days on two different courses — Long Cove Golf Club and Harbour Town Golf Links.

Wilson, who does not play golf, will be driving the beverage wagon.

Experts see no negative fallout from DeLay’s appearance.

“DeLay will be highly acceptable in the circles they are trying to raise money from,” said Francis Marion University political scientist Neal Thigpen, a GOP activist. “I don’t see where his presence damages Joe in any fashion. As a matter of fact, it probably strengthens him. DeLay is not unpopular in Joe’s district.”

Voters pay little, if any, attention to matters such as this.

“They see this as partisan cannon fodder,” Thigpen said.

Many wouldn’t know who DeLay is or be able to describe the ethical charges against the congressman.

“This is a tempest in a teapot to most people,” said Winthrop University professor Scott Huffmon. “Most will shrug their shoulders and say that’s politics.”

Wilson has nothing to fear by inviting DeLay either.

“I don’t think it has any significant liability for him. If it had, Wilson would have distanced himself from DeLay,” said College of Charleston analyst Bill Moore.

“Joe is in a safe district. Those who dislike Tom DeLay the most are obviously Democrats. I don’t see it having any negative impact on Wilson.”