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Obama Expresses Sorrow with Loss of Richardson Beard

December 03, 2008 12:02 PM

President-elect Barack Obama expressed his deep disappointment for the loss of Bill Richardson's beard in a press conference to announce the New Mexico governor's nomination as secretary of commerce.

"We're deeply disappointed with the loss of the beard," Obama said.

He was responding to a question from FOX News' Wendell Goler for Mr. Obama's nominee for Secretary of Commerce, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson. Goler had asked Richardson "what happened to the beard, sir?"

The president-elect said he would answer for Richardson, saying that he was sad about the loss of the beard, which had given the Governor, in Mr. Obam's view, a "Western, rugged look."

For some reason, though, Richardson got rid of it.

"Maybe it was scratchy when he kissed his wife," Mr. Obama said.

-- jpt

December 3, 2008 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (20)

User Comments

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Angelique,

I have to disagree with you. President Bush never took himself too seriously and always got around to taking punches at himself. Sure he may not have been the best speaker around; but he never thougt too highly of himself.

Speaking as a 25 year old black woman who was/is a strong McCain/Palin supporter, President Elect Obama may have a good sense of humor, but I just don't see him having that strong wit and backbone and personality when it comes to important matter of National Security.

Posted by: Devona | Dec 5, 2008 1:02:45 PM

Thank God we have an articulate President with a sense of humor. If you can't laugh at yourself, and kid around, even at the highest levels, you might as well shoot yourself. I love listening to Obama's well thought out and rational responses to questions in general. What a refreshing change!

Posted by: Angelique | Dec 3, 2008 6:01:30 PM

BikernAZ, I notice you could not name any better latino candidates. That speaks volumes. That said, he will have more than enough latinos...thanks.

Posted by: General Sam | Dec 3, 2008 5:59:13 PM

Are there Asians in Obama's cabinet?
What position will Oprah and Ayers have??

Posted by: CW | Dec 3, 2008 5:45:21 PM

Well BikernAz if we are using your logic whites, blacks, then hispanics in that order would make up the proportionate numers in BO's cabinet. Now if you are talking about the percentage of a particular group, then blacks are getting short-changed big time! 63% hispanic to 90+% blacks..hmmm

Posted by: V lewis | Dec 3, 2008 4:44:23 PM

Put the beard back on, dude.

Posted by: BikernAz | Dec 3, 2008 4:15:25 PM

Instead talking about Richarson's beard, Tell me Jack:
How many hispanic members will Obama have in his cabinet?
Richardson (the most prepared democrat-primaries candidate-according to experts) seems has got the only media-effect consolation prize for the latino community.

Posted by: Ric | Dec 3, 2008 3:20:33 PM

As a McCain voter, I say lighten up...the comment was funny...

Posted by: Wade | Dec 3, 2008 2:46:16 PM

Talk about a slow news day!

The news makes the news.

Guess that reporter did not have any morning coffee.

Posted by: Ranger Phx | Dec 3, 2008 2:21:31 PM

"The economy is imploding, people are living in tent cities and you write an obituary for a beard. Lord!"

Tapper has this weird thing about bringing Thanatos (Greek deification of the dead) into the political spectrum. He's stymied from doing Clinton eulogies, so this is the best he can do.

Posted by: kat | Dec 3, 2008 1:59:35 PM

No wonder why he doesn't call on Fox often. Moronic question.

Posted by: Tk | Dec 3, 2008 1:54:40 PM

Oh my, we certainly can't have any fun, can we. We must be sad and pathetic and woeful all the time -- not one moment for a smile, a little joke, a laugh. No, let's be so utterly and unflaggingly serious that our faces freeze in a grimace and we blow a gasket in our brains worrying about the horrible state of the world. Gotta go cry in my beer, which is costing me more every day. Gee, that's reason enough to cry -- and why won't the government bail out those poor brewing companies who are only trying to bring us a little relief from our sorry state?

Posted by: Jay | Dec 3, 2008 1:42:58 PM

please: I agree. Here in Des Moines Iowa our government is going around making our homeless leave several little shacks that a group built for them along the river because one caught fire. The government is saying they are dangerous....
ummmm.... lets just knock them down further, take their beds and warmth away and put them out on the streets because these little shacks, which by the way have been there for years, might be dangerous.....OMG.... what is wrong with our GOVERNMENT are they really that stupid, do they think living on the streets is a vacation.

Posted by: becky (the real one) | Dec 3, 2008 1:23:09 PM

Like Mr. Richardson, Judas also has a beard, also wanting to shave it off after his betrayal.

Posted by: young_voter | Dec 3, 2008 1:18:31 PM

Gov. Richardson got rid of his beard, but I hear Gov. Crist is getting a new beard Dec. 12.

Posted by: Joe the Blunder | Dec 3, 2008 12:36:28 PM

User...."what do you expect from a community activist?"

Get over it. Obama won!

Posted by: Denjudge | Dec 3, 2008 12:29:29 PM

what do you expect from a community activist?

Posted by: user | Dec 3, 2008 12:23:42 PM

You are an idiot. I listened to the same thing you did. It was a joke. Everyone was giggling. Where in your post is the same snark that Obama was using?

Posted by: TechSkeptic | Dec 3, 2008 12:22:58 PM

Well he's back in office so beards are a no no in US politics.

Posted by: Richard | Dec 3, 2008 12:21:20 PM

The economy is imploding, people are living in tent cities and you write an obituary for a beard. Lord!

Posted by: please! | Dec 3, 2008 12:20:35 PM

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