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Jessica Simpson Snubs Bush
Reuters ^
Posted on 03/15/2006 8:11:39 PM PST by doesnt suffer fools gladly
Jessica Simpson snubs Bush Wed Mar 15, 2006 10:50 PM ET
By Steve Gorman
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Concerned about politicizing her favorite charity, singer-actress Jessica Simpson on Wednesday turned down a invitation to meet with U.S. President George W. Bush, a snub that left Republicans dismayed.
The apparent final word that Simpson would be a no-show at a major Republican fund-raiser with Bush and congressional leaders on Thursday night came after a day of conflicting reports from her camp and organizers of the event.
The blond star of the film "The Dukes of Hazzard" still plans to visit Washington on Thursday to lobby members of Congress on behalf of Operation Smile, a non-profit venture offering free plastic surgery for disadvantaged children overseas with facial deformities.
People close to Simpson said she declined a request to appear that same evening at the gala fund-raiser of the National Republican Congressional Committee -- even after she was offered some private face time with Bush -- because Operation Smile is a non-partisan group.
"It just feels wrong," one Simpson insider told Reuters on Wednesday, adding that the actress keeps her political views private. "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."
NRCC spokesman Carl Forti said he was surprised at Simpson's position.
"It's never been a problem for Bono," he said, referring to the U2 rock star who has met regularly with political leaders of all stripes to promote various causes, including Third World debt relief. "I find it hard to believe she would pass up an opportunity to lobby the president on behalf of Operation Smile."
Although Simpson's publicists insisted she never had planned to attend the fund-raiser, Forti said the actress initially accepted the NRCC invitation when it was extended on Tuesday night, only to change her mind the next evening.
Forti said the Republican group had even arranged for Simpson to dine at one of the head tables with U.S. House of Representatives Majority Leader John Boehner, an Ohio Republican. The NRCC hopes the $2,500-per-plate dinner event will raise $7.5 million for Republican candidates in the congressional midterm elections in November.
Simpson, 25, a Texas native who started out singing in her church choir, became a star on the Christian music circuit as a teenager and crossed over to the pop mainstream with her major-label debut album "Sweet Kisses" in 1999.
She became an overnight MTV sensation in 2003 as co-star of a reality show chronicling her first year of wedlock with fellow pop vocalist Nick Lachey, but she filed for divorce in December after three stormy years of marriage. Simpson is currently featured wearing cowboy boots and hot pants in a TV pizza ad.
TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: 98degrees; badmusic; badsinger; blond; blonde; ca; computerassociates; divorce; facialsurgery; jessica; jessicasimpson; lachey; marriage; nick; nicklachey; notalent; performer; simpson; singer; smiletrain; snub; wedding
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To: doesnt suffer fools gladly
People are always saying, "shut up and sing." She did.
2
posted on
03/15/2006 8:12:18 PM PST
by
nickcarraway
(I'm Only Alive, Because a Judge Hasn't Ruled I Should Die...)
To: doesnt suffer fools gladly
Our culture is upside down.
3
posted on
03/15/2006 8:12:46 PM PST
by
Vision
("There are no limits to growth because there are no limits of human intelligence" Ronald Reagan)
To: pissant; martin_fierro; xsmommy
4
posted on
03/15/2006 8:13:14 PM PST
by
TheBigB
(Try Ma Skillett's Funky Fritters!)
To: doesnt suffer fools gladly
She'll get blasted for this even though she really is trying to shut up and sing, or in this case shut up and do charity work. It's a pity more entertainers won't distance themselves from politics. Good for her.
5
posted on
03/15/2006 8:13:49 PM PST
by
Melas
(What!? Read or learn something? Why would anyone do that, when they can just go on being stupid)
To: doesnt suffer fools gladly
What's to boycott? She was a ZERO before and a ZERO after. I would never buy anything of which she is selling anyway.
To: doesnt suffer fools gladly

Oh my God. Jessica Simpson isn't showing up. Now we're really screwed.
Am I the only straight male on the planet who doesn't find her even remotely attractive? C'mon, men, we can do better than this....
-Dan
7
posted on
03/15/2006 8:14:26 PM PST
by
Flux Capacitor
(Trust me. I know what I'm doing.)
To: doesnt suffer fools gladly
Jessica Simpson Snubs BushGuess she's not going to star on the L Word then?
8
posted on
03/15/2006 8:14:35 PM PST
by
rintense
To: doesnt suffer fools gladly
"Jessica Simpson on Wednesday turned down a invitation to meet with U.S. President George W. Bush, a snub that left Republicans dismayed...Simpson is currently featured wearing cowboy boots and hot pants in a TV pizza ad."
Yeah, I can see why the GOP is torn up not being associated with this person, whoever she is.
9
posted on
03/15/2006 8:14:46 PM PST
by
decal
(My name is "decal" and I approve this tagline)
To: doesnt suffer fools gladly
Good for Simpson. She's not a politician, and like Michael Jordan said when Dims tried to court him, even Republicans buy his shoes. She didn't want to alienate the liberal Hollywood Left and that's fine.
Psst....hey Jessica, now that you're single, why don't you take a trip to Green Bay and meet me somewhere?
To: decal
Where the h are the pictures
11
posted on
03/15/2006 8:16:25 PM PST
by
al baby
(Father of the Beeber)
To: decal
It was a stupid move by the GOP anyway. The GOP has no business courting celebrities.
To: Melas; nickcarraway
What has this to do with "Shut up and sing"? She's not preaching her personal ideology. She turned down an invitation from the President, which makes me think she's a frickin' vapid loon.
13
posted on
03/15/2006 8:17:37 PM PST
by
Vision
("There are no limits to growth because there are no limits of human intelligence" Ronald Reagan)
To: al baby
To: Vision
She turned down an invitation from the President, which makes me think she's a frickin' vapid loon. She meets with Bush and she can kiss any upcoming roles in Hollywood goodbye. You know how Hollywood is.
To: Extremely Extreme Extremist
I can't stand blonds I could stand this one she is cute
16
posted on
03/15/2006 8:19:23 PM PST
by
al baby
(Father of the Beeber)
To: Blue Jays
Hi All-
Operation Smile Train is financed by those soon-to-be-imprisoned crooks from Computer Associates (CA) software. Sanjay Kumar, Stephen Richards, Ira Zar and a handful of others embezzled millions upon millions of dollars. The judge in the case has apparently stripped them of their passports (Operation Smile Train or not...) since they're likely to flee the country rather than face prosecution. Hopefully the kids get their facial surgeries, but rest assured the people behind the organization aren't exactly humanitarians.
~ Blue Jays ~
17
posted on
03/15/2006 8:19:28 PM PST
by
Blue Jays
(Rock Hard, Ride Free)
To: Flux Capacitor
>>>Am I the only straight male on the planet who doesn't find her even remotely attractive? <<<
She ain't Hillary-ugly, but she ain't the goddess the media & some guys here make her out to be either.
18
posted on
03/15/2006 8:19:51 PM PST
by
Keith in Iowa
(New SeeBS-News promo theme: If the facts don't fit, we'll make up sh*t.)
To: al baby

If this isn't pure all-American beauty, then I don't know what is.
To: doesnt suffer fools gladly
Heaven help us, were finished.
Who is Jessica Simpson?
20
posted on
03/15/2006 8:21:26 PM PST
by
dighton
To: Keith in Iowa
She ain't Hillary-ugly Keith in Iowa, ladies and gentlemen...Master of the understatement. ;o)
21
posted on
03/15/2006 8:21:46 PM PST
by
TheBigB
(Try Ma Skillett's Funky Fritters!)
To: doesnt suffer fools gladly
"I find it hard to believe she would pass up an opportunity to lobby the president on behalf of Operation Smile." It's a private organization - she doesn't need to be there lobbying some politician (who already steals and squanders far, far too much of our money) to grab more taxpayer dollars for her pet project.
Ms. Simpson is right on. Leave the professional politicians the hell out of something for a change.
22
posted on
03/15/2006 8:22:28 PM PST
by
Hank Rearden
(Never allow anyone who could only get a government "job" attempt to tell you how to run your life.)
To: Vision
She turned down an invitation to a party fundraiser, not a walk in the Rose Garden. It pays to understand the difference between the two.
23
posted on
03/15/2006 8:22:57 PM PST
by
Melas
(What!? Read or learn something? Why would anyone do that, when they can just go on being stupid)
To: TheBigB
read the rest of my previous post - the part after the comma...
24
posted on
03/15/2006 8:23:02 PM PST
by
Keith in Iowa
(New SeeBS-News promo theme: If the facts don't fit, we'll make up sh*t.)
To: Vision
She turned down an invitation from the President, which makes me think she's a frickin' vapid loon. She turned down an invitation lest his appearence politicize an issue she cares about. Pres. Bush is one of the most polarizing political figures in recent memory; she could ill-afford to have that polarization turn off a public she relies upon both for this charity and her very livelihood.
Now, personally, I'd prefer she took the approach Bono takes - he'll talk to anyone who will listen about his issues (global poverty), leading to odd alliances between the rocker and Jesse Helms. That said, Jessica Simpson's judgment is not entirely faulty in this instance.
25
posted on
03/15/2006 8:23:28 PM PST
by
jude24
("The Church is a harlot, but she is my mother." - St. Augustine)
To: Keith in Iowa
but she ain't the goddess the media & some guys here make her out to be either. You don't think she's hot? C'mon. You'd do her in a nano-second.
To: doesnt suffer fools gladly
What a loss. What a tragedy. What is this world coming to?!!!
27
posted on
03/15/2006 8:24:43 PM PST
by
La Enchiladita
(United we stand, divided we fall.)
To: Extremely Extreme Extremist
>>> You don't think she's hot? C'mon. You'd do her in a nano-second.
Tepid, and no, I would not.
28
posted on
03/15/2006 8:24:54 PM PST
by
Keith in Iowa
(New SeeBS-News promo theme: If the facts don't fit, we'll make up sh*t.)
To: doesnt suffer fools gladly
I saw a program about operation smile a few days ago and these people are doing God's own work.
Actually, I agree with her on this. BTW, I think she is pretty but not gorgeous. Her figure may be too sexy if there is such a thing.
29
posted on
03/15/2006 8:26:42 PM PST
by
yarddog
To: Keith in Iowa
Tepid, and no, I would not. Comment would have been removed by Moderator, so I'll keep my mouth shut.
To: doesnt suffer fools gladly
Forti said the Republican group had even arranged for Simpson to dine at one of the head tables with U.S. House of Representatives Majority Leader John Boehner, an Ohio Republican. I think she got scared that she would be siting next to a boner. Remember she isn't very bright
To: Melas
She turned down an invitation to a party fundraiser, not a walk in the Rose Garden. It pays to understand the difference between the two
She's been very public about being a Republican. Her priorities are out of whack at best.
32
posted on
03/15/2006 8:27:40 PM PST
by
Vision
("There are no limits to growth because there are no limits of human intelligence" Ronald Reagan)
To: doesnt suffer fools gladly
Cut her some slack, now. If I wanted face time for my favorite charity, I would have agreed to meet with Clinton, Carter, Johnson, Kennedy Truman. But just not at a fund-raiser.
To: jude24
34
posted on
03/15/2006 8:28:34 PM PST
by
Vision
("There are no limits to growth because there are no limits of human intelligence" Ronald Reagan)
To: Extremely Extreme Extremist
35
posted on
03/15/2006 8:28:34 PM PST
by
goodnesswins
( "the left can only take power through deception." (and it seems Hillary & Company are the masters)
To: Vision
I disagree. I respect her greatly for not wanting to politicize her charity work. Good for her.
36
posted on
03/15/2006 8:28:39 PM PST
by
Melas
(What!? Read or learn something? Why would anyone do that, when they can just go on being stupid)
To: doesnt suffer fools gladly
To: Melas
I respect her greatly for not wanting to politicize her charity work. Good for her.Agreed. More celebrities should follow suit.
38
posted on
03/15/2006 8:29:31 PM PST
by
Wormwood
(Iä! Iä! Cthulhu fhtagn!)
To: doesnt suffer fools gladly
If this continues I don't see how he can possibly get elected again in 2008!
To: Melas
I disagree. I respect her greatly for not wanting to politicize her charity work. Good for her
OK, do you want an award or something for agreeing with her public insult to the President?
40
posted on
03/15/2006 8:30:44 PM PST
by
Vision
("There are no limits to growth because there are no limits of human intelligence" Ronald Reagan)
To: doesnt suffer fools gladly
I heard one time she actually did go to the WH, she told the secretary of the interior, "I love what you've done with the place..."
Maybe there's a reason she doesn't associate with the political elite.
I kid, I'm sure she's a sweet young girl and I respect, like many of you, that she wants to keep her organization non-partisan.
41
posted on
03/15/2006 8:31:08 PM PST
by
SouthJrzReaganite18
(Freedom is the right of all sentient beings. -Optimus Prime)
To: Larry Lucido
I say, if she won't meet with the President of the United States, then the hell with her.
42
posted on
03/15/2006 8:31:37 PM PST
by
furquhart
(Time for a New Crusade - Deus lo Volt!)
To: goodnesswins
Airbrushes do a lot.... Sorry, I've seen some pictures of her without makeup and I still think she's a hottie.
Funny how the same FReepers who think Simpson is not good-looking have no problem salivating at the skin-and-bones figure of Ann Coulter.
To: doesnt suffer fools gladly
44
posted on
03/15/2006 8:32:56 PM PST
by
don-o
(Don't be a Freeploader. Do the right thing. Become a Monthly Donor!)
To: doesnt suffer fools gladly
"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." That's fair enough, and that's not a snub of Dubya.
45
posted on
03/15/2006 8:33:19 PM PST
by
Tribune7
To: Vision
The blond star of the film "The Dukes of Hazzard" still plans to visit Washington on Thursday to lobby members of Congress on behalf of Operation Smile, a non-profit venture offering free plastic surgery for disadvantaged children overseas with facial deformities.
So if she makes time to visit a fund raiser while she's in town, she's politicizing her charity? Give me a break...
46
posted on
03/15/2006 8:33:56 PM PST
by
Vision
("There are no limits to growth because there are no limits of human intelligence" Ronald Reagan)
Comment #47 Removed by Moderator
Comment #48 Removed by Moderator
To: Vision
So if she makes time to visit a fund raiser while she's in town, she's politicizing her charity?Yes.
49
posted on
03/15/2006 8:34:42 PM PST
by
Wormwood
(Iä! Iä! Cthulhu fhtagn!)
To: doesnt suffer fools gladly
Awww...the President will lose sleep over this. A snub indeed. If the RNC is "dismayed" as the article states, we are in deeper trouble than we thought.
50
posted on
03/15/2006 8:35:08 PM PST
by
daybreakcoming
(If destruction be our lot, we must ourselves be its author and finisher. A. Lincoln)
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