Richardson's Beard is Back! And It's Not Attending the Inauguration

Yes, in a press conference on the state budget this afternoon, Gov. Bill Richardson confirmed to a reporter (Okay, it was the New Mex's Steve Terrell) that the stubble does mean the beard is back.

It must be comforting. Last time he grew it out was after he dropped out of the presidential race. This time it's after withdrawing his acceptance of the Commerce Secretary nomination.

In related news, Gov. Bill Richardson, who is suffering through his own pay-to-play scandal, is not attending Barack Obama's inauguration. Instead, he'll stick around Santa Fe to deliver the annual "State of the State" address. According to spokesman Gilbert Gallegos, Richardson never did plan to attend.

Photo by Dave Maass, crossposted at SFReeper.com.