What's My Line Again?

Actress Jessica Simpson has accepted then turned down a chance to attend a Republican fundraiser to meet US President Bush and spruik her plastic surgery charity for deformed kids.

"It just feels wrong," one Simpson insider said today, 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 expressed surprise; the Republican group had even arranged for Simpson to dine at one of the head tables with US House of Representatives Majority Leader John Boehner:

"It's never been a problem for Bono," (Forti) 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."

But then Bono is capable of sitting down for a couple of hours with a group of educated people and sustaining an authoritatve and informed conversation about complex issues while Simpson is:

...currently starring in a US TV pizza ad wearing cowboy boots and hot pants.

-- Nick