The head-turning actress was invited to attend a gala fundraiser for the National Republican Congressional Committee but she, regretfully, declined.

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."

Promoting a worthy cause like Operation Smile is commendable. And identifying with one party of the other isn't a big deal. But when a celebrity is out their shilling for their party of choice, that's just tacky. We expect entertainment out of these folks, not preaching.

And, honestly, just appearing at a party fundraiser doesn't even come close to the kind of in-your-face political shenanigans that so many Liberal celebrities engage in. But Simpson didn't want to potentially taint the non-partisan nature of the cause she is supporting. Good for her.

Posted by: Gary at 07:30 AM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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