Filed Under the Category of YIKES: What do Jessica Simpson and a Porn Starlet NOT Have in Common?

... evidently an interest in rubbing shoulders with President Bush.

But it's not as you might surmise.

Jessica Simpson snubbed an offer to attend the National Republican Congressional Committee gala fund-raiser tonight because she "didn't want to politicize her favorite charity".

Simpson will be in town today 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. According to Reuters,
those close to Simpson said she declined a request to appear that same evening
at the fund-raiser for the NRCC -- even after she was offered a face-to-face,
private meeting with Bush.

"It just feels wrong," said one unnamed Simpson associate. "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 told the news agency 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."

Mary Carey, XXX porn diva (who, along with her porn-promoting escort, caused an uproar last year for dining with President Bush), was eager for the chance to socialize with W.

Meanwhile, Carey, a former novelty candidate for California governor is to
attend the United to Victory dinner with Bush tonight. She also had lunch at a
related event yesterday where Bush adviser Karl Rove was the guest speaker.

She says she's taking part, for the second year in a row, at the
invitation of the National Republican Congressional Committee, which is
organizing the events.

"I'm really excited to be going back to Washington, D.C., to see the
president again," said Carey. "Everyone thinks that politicians are stuffy, but
we all had a great time last year, and I had fun signing a lot of autographs.
Wait till they see that I have lost 20 pounds since the last time they saw me.
Watch out Mr. President!"