Bill Richardson's Missing Beard: Obama "Deeply Disappointed With The Loss" (VIDEO, POLL)

At the Wednesday morning press conference announcing Bill Richardson's appointment as Secretary of Commerce, the most urgent question came from Wendall Goler of FOX News: "I'm going to ask the governor, what happened to the beard, sir?" Obama chose to answer, stating "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," he continued, "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 loss of the beard." Do you agree with the administration's stance on this issue? Watch the clip and take the poll below.

**Read about Obama's inability to grow facial hair.**

WATCH:

POLL:

Quick Poll

Do you miss Bill Richardson's beard?

Yes

No

BEFORE (August 28th, 2008)

AFTER (December 3rd, 2008)

Comments

[daykotah]

01:22 PM on 12/06/2008

Bring back the beard. It was sexy!!!

[2008FedUP]

03:06 PM on 12/05/2008

The beard was the main reason he kept my attention when speaking. Please give it back, I NEED it.

[rcwblessed]

01:48 PM on 12/05/2008

I like the beard... grow it back!

[OverIt]

12:32 AM on 12/04/2008

He needs to grow it back, STAT. That is way too much chin for one man!

[S1m0n]

12:50 AM on 12/04/2008

Too much? You mean, too many!

[OverIt]

01:50 AM on 12/04/2008

Seriously! Either way, put it away!

[2008FedUP]

03:05 PM on 12/05/2008

STAT is so right.

[Ugonna]

11:50 PM on 12/03/2008

he actually looked sexy WITH the beard. Something I would have NEVER thought he was otherwise. LOL.

[4wehttam]

12:00 AM on 12/04/2008

LOL.....I think he looks sexy WITH the beard too!!!!

[alicarn]

07:50 PM on 12/26/2008

I agree! Once he grew the beard it was like - who IS THAT MAN?? WOW! Very sexy.

[wichitaks]

09:30 PM on 12/03/2008

Richardson comments in spanish today; on his Commerce secretary appointment, confirms my distrust of him.
His “spanish” comments were divisive & unamerican…and not appropriate for me as an american of “native-american & german descent”.
I speak many languages, spanish being one of them.
He says one thing in english & another in spanish.

Richardson is a hoax.

[4wehttam]

11:58 PM on 12/03/2008

What did he say, can you please share?????

[wichitaks]

05:14 AM on 12/04/2008

This is my interpretation. "Like President-elect Obama told us 'si se puede' our vote has become our voice. The election has demonstrated our power and our unity. We have to keep fighting for our rights. At the same time, keep chasing the American dream for all.
To the millions of inhabitants of Latin America and the Caribbean, we have to strengthen our ties and remember the importance of having a unified hemisphere."

(my comment: On a national level, a common language unites people; the USA secretary of commerce should be a representative of all "clans" in the USA. )

[Wolf Larsen]

09:21 PM on 12/03/2008

If Bush had been the one making the remarks their would have been some humiliating put down coupled with a equally offensive nickname......delivered with a schoolyard bully smirk....

How many times do you think Bush was "flushed" as a child....?

[elimenez]

10:42 PM on 12/03/2008

That's because Bush, deservedly, and among his 100 million gaffes, has said such ridiculous and utter cringe worthy statements that he can't help but fail. Consider the source.

[skyloaf]

07:27 PM on 12/03/2008

Take it from another pudgy-faced guy, my man has got to cover them jowls!!

[Kuhlfrog]

07:25 PM on 12/03/2008

Okay...it might look better, but I side with the wife..Definite deal-breaker for me. My guy decided he wanted to look like the Geico caveman this summer. It was a total turnoff to me...I just can't do!

[TheStudentPundit]

07:15 PM on 12/03/2008

Beard = Bad Ass

[TheWoolseyMammoth]

03:46 PM on 12/05/2008

I agree.

And no beard = everyday boring politician. Yawn...

grow it back, please!

[Pearlman]

07:14 PM on 12/03/2008

He misses the way it tickles him.

[fem56]

07:00 PM on 12/03/2008

It's official. The President elect says the beard must return.

[Tamoomoo]

06:40 PM on 12/03/2008

I became gay because of that beard, and I want it back NOW!

[wndrwrthg]

07:19 PM on 12/03/2008

Sooo, it was a lifestyle choice?

[LeftLeanWing]

02:56 AM on 12/05/2008

or a Joke

[WRPrintz]

06:40 PM on 12/03/2008

That was a good Jack Kennedy mixed with Chicago Ribbing moment.

[luvangelHussein330]

06:33 PM on 12/03/2008

I want the fuzzy beard back to go with the rest of Richardsons cuddely look...it was hot! Now he just reminds me of a Latino Jim Belushi from the blues brothers *sigh*