ABC Says Hollywood is Part of Bush’s Base

Jessica Simpson’s presence can make any story at least a little bit exciting and it seemed to get the best of ABC’s Bill Weir as he filled in for Charlie Gibson on this morning’s Good Morning America. Simpson, due in Washington today to lobby Congress on behalf of her favorite charity, turned down an invitation to a Republican fundraiser. GMA painted it as yet more bad news for President Bush.

After an introduction from Weir, reporter Andrea Canning described it as a strong rebuff of Bush, "Jessica Simpson has no trouble serving up pizza in her latest TV commercial, but when it comes to appearing with fellow Texan President Bush, the red, white and blonde actress is drawing the line." Then adding that Simpson said of the chance to attend the dinner, "It just feels wrong." Eventually, Canning noted that Simpson wanted to avoid politicizing the charity she was in town to promote.

At the end of the segment, Weir noted, "But it's interesting that the President is rebuffed by Jessica Simpson. Tim McGraw and Faith Hill came out against him recently, so it seems like the base of Hollywood, the base is sliding away."

But when were Simpson, McGraw and Hill known to be in Bush’s base? In today’s story ABC noted that Simpson "keeps her political views private" and in a story last week on their web site ABC noted that McGraw and Hill are "two stars who usually stay out of politics". Even if the three did vote for Bush, it does not make sense to use their recent comments to say that the "base of Hollywood...is sliding away" from President Bush. Hollywood was never for Bush.

Read the full transcript:

Bill Weir: "Pop meets politics this week as Jessica Simpson heads to Washington this morning, but do they actually meet? The buzz this morning is about who won't get an audience with the pop star. ABC's Andrea Canning is here to tell us why. Good morning."

Andrea Canning: "Bill, this is a very tricky one and also very unexpected, but it seems that even President Bush will have to wait in line to talk with the newly single Simpson.

"Jessica Simpson has no trouble serving up pizza in her latest TV commercial, but when it comes to appearing with fellow Texan President Bush, the red, white and blonde actress is drawing the line. Concerned about politicizing her favorite charity, Operation Smile, Simpson snubbed an invitation to appear at a major Republican fundraiser tonight with the President saying, 'It just feels wrong.'

"The move surprised the National Republican Congressional Committee. A spokesperson said 'It's never been a problem for Bono. I find it hard to believe she would pass up an opportunity to lobby the President.'

"But the patriotic performer who dazzled U.S. troops in Iraq says she would love to talk to Mr. Bush about her non-partisan charity that offers free plastic surgery to children with facial deformities, but insists a GOP fundraiser isn't the place to do it. Simpson will still lobby Congress today on behalf of Operation Smile.

"As for Ms. Daisy Duke herself, who keeps her political views private, could politics be in her future? Yes, if fans have their way.

"And there is one star still expected to show up at the fundraiser - adult entertainer Mary Carey and you may remember she ran for governor in 2003. So how about that can of worms?"

Weir: "With a host of thousands who ran for governor at that time. But it's interesting that the President is rebuffed by Jessica Simpson. Tim McGraw and Faith Hill came out against him recently, so it seems like the base of Hollywood, the base is sliding away."