Simpson Snubs Bush


HOLLYWOOD - The Dukes of Hazzard beauty Jessica Simpson pulled out of a planned meeting with President George W. Bush tonight, because she is concerned about "politicizing" the charity she supports.

The 25-year-old still plans to lobby members of Congress in Washington, D.C. today in her representative role for Operation Smile--a non-profit charity that offers cosmetic surgery to facially disfigured children from around the world.

And Simpson has turned down an invitation to meet with President Bush at a major Republican Party fund-raising event on the same day, because she doesn't want to affiliate herself to a political organization.

A Simpson aide tells Reuters, "It just feels wrong. She would love to meet the president and talk about Operation Smile... but she can't do it at a fund-raiser for the Republican Party."

But the National Republican Congressional Committee is surprised by her decision. Spokesman Carl Forti says, "It's never been a problem for Bono.

"I find it hard to believe she would pass up an opportunity to lobby the president on behalf of Operation Smile."
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