(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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I cannot believe that with the United States in a recession, our homeless, starving, uneducated, bail outs, and absolutely no way out of this mess for a very long time that Bill Richardson's "beardlessness" would be of any news at all. Quite frankly, he needs to lose some weight and make a role model of himself.
wow are we so uptight that we can't have light humor stories anymore in the news? Comon give it a break sometimes!
The only thing with more chins is the Beijing phone book.
Grow back the beard!
I'm sorry, this is news?
LOSER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
He looked like a toughie with the beard...much better looking and presentable without it.
Much better without!!!
Most of you people are absolutly horrible. Most of you make fun of his weight on here? I thought you wanted the best man for the job? Not the best looking for the job. Guess what, that's why Democrats won't succeed. They believe in too perfect a world. I voted for Obama because he was best for the job, but overall Dems make me sick.
Running out of things to report on eh?
He looked more jolly with the beard.
Weight or beard ... he chose wrong!
WHO CARES
With the beard on, I thought he looked more like our Governor Napalitano. And Gov. Rendell does owe Janet an apology for Janet does have a life here. One of ignoring the people of her state when it comes to handing the illegal and crime issues, creating the worst deficit in this state history and unlike Sara Palin who looks hot, Janet does look like a pit bull wearing lip stick.
Why is this news? Who cares? This is Obama-mania at its dumbest!
Without, he looks like bum with the beard.
Good for you Bill ! There is nothing wrong with a little rebellion.
The beard was better, Bill! Grow it back!
Oh well I guess I will miss the beard. I would be disappointed too, I really think he looks better with the on.
He should keep the beard. It hides the neck fat. But Richardson is still awesome and he'll be a good commerce secretary, although I still feel he's best suited for secretary of state.
did you notice he turned orange in the after picture? What after-shave did you use, Bill?
Whoa! He's got more Chins than the San Francisco telephone directory
I think Richardson will make a great Sec of Commerce and would have made a better Sec of State. Not to be...
We'll have to wait and watch how many Latinos make this cabinet or we'll need to re-eval and see if we need to use the power of our vote to swing the GOP way.
BTW – I like the beard!!!
He needs it back, for Christmas. He looks more jovial with a beard.
Be true to yourself. Grow the beard back. Part of the change we need in washington is a dramatic increase in authenticty.