(CNN) – Gov. Bill Richardson showed up to his press conference with President-elect Barack Obama Wednesday morning without the beard he has been sporting since dropping out of the presidential race in January, sparking his new boss to tell reporters he is "deeply disappointed with the loss of the beard."
"I'm going to answer this question about the beard," said Obama, when Richardson was asked where the facial hair went. "I think it was a mistake for him to get rid of it. I thought that 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.," Obama continued as his nominee for commerce secretary smiled broadly. "But we're deeply disappointed with the loss of the beard."
Obama didn't let Richardson answer the question, but the New Mexico governor told Esquire Magazine in an interview posted online Wednesday that "After the campaign, I grew a beard as a rebellion 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. That was a good feeling."
From CNN Politics
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he needs to get that double chin sucked out!
He looks like a larger version of Graham Greene without the beard. Much better with it though. Yep. Slow news day
THAT WAS HARSH COMING FROM PE OBAMA,BUT TRUE
Richardson looks better with the beard since it covers all his extra chins
and makes his face look thinner.
He looks great and will be a great Secretary of Commerce
To "Marie in California",
You seriously need a psych evalutation. Get some help. That's all i'm going to say.
Lighten up people this is feel good news. I like the beard and the pick. Great beginning Barack keep it going.
What is the point of this article? Please tell me, I'm at a loss.
Richardson shaves beard: Dow Falls 477 points in late trading.
A beard should not be a prerequisite for being secretary of commerce. Governor Richardson made an excellent choice in shaving his beard. He's sending a powerful signal to the American public that he's a very nice clean cut gentleman who's ready to perform his duties accordingly. Being clean cut is the better way to go; otherwise he could have been badly criticized for being too darn lazy to take a shave.
It's funny how the only people who have a problem with Richardson, are the people who were the Clinton die-hards during the Democratic primary. Yeah, um, Hillary is now a member of the Obama administration, and yes, so is Richardson, or "Judas" as you sore loser dropouts like to refer to him. Hillary is over it, Bill is over it, AMERICA IS OVER IT!
Get on board or just shut up and join the dark side already!!!!
I think he's a cutie pie either way. I like a man with a little meat on the bones, like a big bear! . Whoopie.
The beard is sexy, sexy sexy....please Gov, grow it back on.
If CNN continues with these misleading and exploitative headlines, I will begin to get my news from another source. Thank you.
Why id CNN posting this?????? You have to be kidding me....who really cares?
pro-beard!
he should have kept the beard. that double chin is gross. its hanging over his collar and tie.
It must be news since OB spoke...
OMG!
For the past few months, I grew a MUSTACHE for a video project and now that I shaved it off, I suspect I will be questioned for my lack of mustache!
LOL that whats cute. Richardson is a good man!
So This is national news!!! So disappointing with all the mess that Washington has created.
He does need to lose weight, just for his health.
So much for Obama being bipartisan. Where are all these Republican cabinet members he told us he'd have? I DOthink that Richardson will be good as Commerce Sec.
An old Sergeant once told me "Anybody can grow a a beard; it takes a man to keep one." As Ronald Reagan might have said, "Mr. Richardson, let that beard grow out."
viva America!