Bill Richardson: To Beard or Not To Beard?

That is the question, and Barack Obama, who introduced Bill Richardson as his pick for Secretary of Commerce yesterday, has an answer. Compare and contrast:

Before and After:


The president-elect thinks Richardson should never have shaved it off:

"I think it was a mistake for him to get rid of it," the president-elect said. "I thought that the whole western, rugged look was really working for him. For some reason, maybe because it was scratchy when he kissed his wife, he was forced to get rid of it. But we're deeply disappointed with the lost of his beard."

Would Obama have offered the Commerce post to Bill if he'd known the beard would go bye-bye? Will the scruff start returning to Richardson's cheeks? Have your say, America:



Apparently, just as it was back in the 60's, growing a beard remains a form of protest. Here's Richardson on why he initially went from boy scout to outlaw biker:

"After the campaign, I grew a beard as a rebelion against those consultants who told me I had to comb my hair, shave, lose weight. I said, 'You know, I'm gonna do what I want now."

So why, oh why did Richardson sell out again to the man and his razor? For that matter, why did Al Gore give up his Cheeks of Darkness, grown during his Conradian journey up river following his loss to W. in 2000? So many crucial beard questions, so little time.