The REAL Price of a Haircut...

Disclaimer, right up front: Let me state here and now that I have never been an Edwards supporter. I'm not really one now. But, put that aside for a moment, and consider this...

Last week, we learned in a very concrete way that racism in our media and our society not only still exists, but mutates daily in a kind of permission to hate, to talk with crassness and vulgarity about our fellow Americans. This week, we have had yet another national tragedy that has taken so many of our kids and their teachers away from us in a hail of bullets. Blood, guts, carnage, hate in front of our eyes and in our ears 24/7....

The Kennedys are beyond wealthy, and have lived in beautiful homes and luxurious "compounds" for generations. Consider what our country would be today if John Kennedy had finished his two terms as President, and Bobby Kennedy had gone on to win that office as well, and serve both terms. Consider what they would have been like as Presidents in retirement. Consider Senator Ted Kennedy's record in the Senate. So concerned about poverty in this country, these three brothers and their children have led lives of committment to public service and the poorest among us. None of them were saints, but great spirits and souls often come with great impediments. It is how they rise about them that counts, and the Kennedys have been exemplary examples of service to their country and their fellow citizens and the poorest among us. Even when this family paid the ultimate sacrifice, with the lives of Jack, Bobby, and John, Jr. snuffed out way too soon, they never withdrew and never shied away from the issues of "the little guy". Never.

That having been said, do we REALLY care what John Edwards pays for a haircut? Do we REALLY? And, do we REALLY care about how big his house is or how much it cost? In our heart of hearts, do we REALLY CARE?

Here's what we SHOULD care about with PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE Edwards... (and all the other Presidential hopefuls, actually):

What is his plan for Universal Health Care?

Is he Pro-Choice?

What does he plan to do, if anything, about Global Warming, Peak Oil, and Peak Water?

Is everything still "on the table" as far as war with Iran? And, if so, why?

Does he really repudiate his IWR vote? If so, what is his plan to end this war and bring our troops home?

Does he regret his vote for the Patriot Act? If so, what will he do to restore our lost freedoms if he is elected? Will he committ to the seperation of Church and State? Will he restore our gutted Constitution?

He talks a great anti-poverty, pro-labor, pro-little guy agenda. What is his concrete agenda for restoring the dignity of the American dream to ALL Americans?

Will he work hard to restore the Middle Class? And, will he do it WITHOUT cow-towing to the Pro-Corporate DLC wing of this Party? Will we be as important to him and his administration as those damned corporations? Will our welfare, at home and abroad, outweigh that of AIPAC? Will the American Citizen finally be more important than any Lobby when Bills are written in the Congress?

Where does he stand on diplomacy? Is he willing and able to try and rebuild the relationships with other nations that have been destroyed in our names?

Is he willing to push for equal rights for everyone? EVERY AMERICAN???

Is he? If he is, and you still care a fig about the price of his home or his haircut, the problem is with YOU. You have bought into the media's build-em-up-just-to-tear-em-down-over-non-issues. You have bought into the "Cult of Personality" they present to you daily. Instead of REAL NEWS, they report how much he pays his barber. Instead of REAL ISSUES, they report how big and expensive his house is. If you have bought into the media's cynical and superficial portrayal of ANY of our candidates, I repeat, the problem is with YOU. You are allowing them to choose our nominee AGAIN. And, once he/she is nominated, you will have given them the power to allow him/her to be swift-boated 24/7.

Demand better. Do your homework, and ask REAL questions of the candidates. Be concerned about REAL issues. Oppose REAL bugaboos -- The DLC, AIPAC, Corporate welfare/tax-loopholes, Peak Oil, Global Warming, Peak Water, PNAC's never-ending War for Oil............... whatever. But, cut the bullsh*t about where or how they live, the price of their haircuts, or any other banal "issue" the media puts in your craw. Be stronger than that. Be smarter than that. If you really don't want Edwards, or Clinton, or Obama, or anyone, have real, rock-solid reasons, backed up by facts as to WHY that is so. Talk about THOSE THINGS. Have a real conversation about them NOW.

Please.

I don't get a chance to post here very often anymore, but I read here almost every day. So reject the media agenda for this Party, and be a part of getting us a REAL kick-ass candidate for POTUS.

TC

That was a heart felt rant and appreciated. Democrats need to take back the WH in '08 and you are correct, let's talk about the issues.

but I just have a hard time taking a man seriously if he pays 400 bucks for a haircut. I mean, did Abe Lincoln or RFK need to pay that kind of cash for a haircut? And what does he get for his money? Is his hair so much better than the average person's? It seems like a waste of money and makes me think of him as out of touch.

But, hey, it's his money and he can pay 4000 for a haircut if he wants.

Let's see - he's appearing on a National Stage usually 6 days out of 7 and given who he is, I just don't see the man walking into Great Clips - do you know what I mean? I wonder what Hillary pays for her appearance....why don't you ask?

would the price of their haircut make you think twice?

I'm not equating Edwards with ANY Kennedy. But, what he pays for a haircut should have NOTHING to do with how "seriously" you take him. What are his positions on the issues? THAT should be your only consideration.

It's the only way around having the media hand us our next nominee on a silver platter.

TC

the average person, or the average person his age. That's some damn nice hair.

Wonder how much Lincoln had to pay for the hats to hide his damn ugly hair? It's a shame there weren't the investigative reporters then we have today.

I think it's very true with hair.

He's got the $ that HE EARNED & in this FREE country is entitled to spend it as he likes, as long as he's not hurting anyone else.

Perhaps the hair stylist needs the $ for a sick child & can't afford private medical insurance because it is so costly. Or can't even get insurance because of a preexisting condition.

Don't judge until you know the facts.

If another thread on here is to believed he didn't pay for it his campaign did. If in fact he paid for it himself then while it doesn't make me think of him as a hometown buy I don't really care.

If in fact it did come from campaign funds then I have a serious problem with it.

Some even more.

At least his money didn't go to the pockets of some giant chain salon getting rich of the backs of impoverished workers.

He basically had to pay the stylist for all the haircuts that the stylist couldn't do while away from the shop *and* the travel expenses, plus Edwards's own haircut.

and just so much easier to write about hair.

I'm sure his stylist isn't one of the stylists who works for a billion dollar hair salon chain. I've know many such stylist who where paid so low a wage that they qualified for food stamps, medicaid and subsidized housing.


It's true that we should be concerned about real issues instead of this crap that is suppose to get us jealous and hateful. I just wanted to add my 2 cents about this being consistent with his anti-poverty, pro-labor, pro-little guy agenda.

because it's kind of inconsistent.

Still, I can also see your point. Look, this thing wouldn't really matter had the money come from Edwards's pocket.

The Democrat's campaign committee picked up the tab for two haircuts at $400 each by celebrity stylist Joseph Torrenueva of Beverly Hills, Calif., according to a financial report filed with the Federal Election Commission.

FEC records show Edwards also availed himself of $250 in services from a trendy salon and spa in Dubuque, Iowa, and $225 in services from the Pink Sapphire in Manchester, N.H., which is described on its Web site as "a unique boutique for the mind, body and face"

:shrug:

Besides grooming.

I wouted that from the link on the the other hair thread.

The guy is definately a celebrity hair stylist though and not some homeless guy edwards decided to throw a $400 tip to, with campaign money.

http://www.fec.gov/disclosure.shtml

I must say, I've tried to use their database a half dozen times, only once with any success.

Good luck. But if you find the report, you probably won't be able to post the URL because it'll be a query of some sort. Instead you'll either have to take a screen shot and post that, or you'll have to give a guide on how to find the document.

HILLARY GATHERS AN ARMY
By IAN BISHOP
Post Correspondent

July 24, 2006 -- WASHINGTON - Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's campaign army has increased its ranks to 50 staffers and more than 20 consultants, specialists in everything from fund-raising to speech-writing to hairstyling and makeup.

Clinton, the likely 2008 Democratic White House front-runner, ponied up nearly $3,000 in campaign cash for her blond tresses to get some presidential pampering from acclaimed D.C. stylist Isabelle Goetz.

Recently released federal fund-raising records show Clinton shelled out $1,500 in April for Goetz to carefully craft her coiffure and another $1,000 for a camera-ready clip in May.

She passed off both styling sessions as "media production" expenses.

Clinton was so desperate for Goetz to style her gilded mane, she picked up the scissor siren's $405 travel tab in April and a $38 expenses tab in May.

Goetz, a fixture at the swank Cristophe salon and the favored stylist of John Kerry, has been clipping the former first lady's locks for years - she's credited for updating Clinton's coif from country to chic. To complement the touch-up of her tresses, Clinton invested another $3,000 for makeup maestro Barbara Lacy to brush on some blush.

Lacy is a Tinseltown pro who applied the makeup to actors' mugs in movies including "Minority Report," "Runaway Bride," "National Treasure" and "In the Line of Fire."

She can also take credit for working the West Wing - the NBC version. Clinton paid Lacy an eye-popping $1,600 for some eye-lining in mid-May and another mind-boggling $1,300 for some makeup two weeks later.

Again, Clinton justified the makeovers as a media production expense.
…
http://www.babalublog.com/archives/003657.html
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=698126&mesg_id=698126

Edwards Flattens Coif Controversy
April 18, 2007

ABC News' Raelyn Johnson Reports: You can tell it's political season when people are putting a fine tooth comb to, well hair. A report filed with the Federal Election Commission last weekend revealed that former Sen. John Edwards' D-N.C., presidential campaign twice shelled out $400 for haircuts he received from a Beverly Hills salon.

Just as fast as gossip spreads in the fashion salon, ABC News has learned the money will be returned. "As for the haircuts, the bill was sent to the campaign, it was paid in error, and Edwards will be reimbursing the campaign," says campaign spokesperson Eric Schultz.

The hair cut revelation did little to minimize what some call Edwards' 'Breck Girl' image. Earlier this year, YouTube showcased a video of Edwards fixing his hair before a televised interview, demonstrating the unforgiving power of the site.
http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2007/04/edwards_flatten.html
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=3224029&mesg_id=3224029

It's the price of running for office in the age of TV.

The media is trying to manipulate us AGAIN.

TC

...... GREAT to 'see' you back, even if only for this one post.

You've not lost a damned thing in your view and integrety.

Coming from someone a respect as much as I do you, that is wonderful to read. :hug:

TC

It shows what's important to him, and it tells me a lot.

It's obscene to spend $400 for a haircut. He cares more about his hair than doing good with $380. That's significant and telling. We ought to consider it when we consider him. Personally, it makes me believe he's more of a political posturer than someone committed to what he says or does to get elected.

Can we really expect a candidate who would burn $400 on something so unimportant to spend (or submit budgets to Congress for spending) our tax dollars wisely?

So, no, it's not what a candidate says that's always what is most important or significant. Often actions speak louder than words, even seemingly insignificant ones in the broader scheme of things.

The haircut matters, because it tells us something about John Edwards the person. What we do with that knowledge is our choice as voters.

It shows exactly what he thinks of all the little lower- and lower-middle-class donors and their piffling little amounts. They're so obviously not in his America.

...did you know that?

Edwards charged these lavish personal care expenses to the campaign and listed them in a public FEC filing. Had he paid for them himself there never would have been a story and the issues-based coverage that he has been enjoying up until now would have been uninterrupted.

I googled his name and found no less than 5stories about his freaking haircut and two about his fund raiser leaving the campaign like she had said she was going to. I'm sorry but I don't see nor have I seen hardly any mention of issues or his stance on them.

but of course that was here and gone quickly. It is, of course, more important as you suggest, than the political snark articles. This may be why it is so hard to find solid decent information on the candidates.

So effing what?

What are his stands on the issues? Is he for withdrawal of our troops? Is he in bed with the DLC or AIPAC? Is he supportive of a woman's right to choose? Is he for equal rights across the board? Will he feed the hungry? Will he do what he can to eradicate poverty? Does he have a plan to end war and begin universal health care? What's he going to do about our crumbling public schools? Will he see we get our rights back? Where does he stand on seperation of church and state?

Don't like what he does with campaign $$$, don't contribute. But, self-inflicted wound? Only if you don't care about the big picture enough to ignore the media's opinion of right and wrong, and demand a better candidate.

Tell me Hillary has never used campaign $$$ to have her hair done and her make-up applied before a major appearance. Tell me none of the candidates has ever used campaign $$$ for the occasional manicure, a new clean shirt after spilling a cup of coffee at lunch, a bottle of pepto Bismal, or other frivolous BUT IMPORTANT (to them) personal need. Tell me that, and maybe I'd be concerned, but I KNOW DIFFERENTLY. The campaign $$$ is used for a lot of personal incidentals and not just signs, bumper-stickers and plane rentals.

Everybody here needs to get a grip and focus on the larger, more important "news" or this haircut bullsh*t is all we'll ever hear about from the stinking media!

WE ALL NEED TO BE TALKING ISSUES, ISSUES, ISSUES.... and haircuts are NOT issues.

TC

One of the negatives on Edwards is that he's seen by many as an inexperienced lightweight--a pretty boy if you will, to use Cheney's pet phrase.

This is a guy who used to be called the Breck Girl.

To Edward's credit he's made a big effort to counter that image by putting together what I think is the most substantive campeign of all the Democratic candidates. That and the way he handled his wife's cancer have put him into contention for me.

What's in a haircut--well for one thing Edwards--a man of working class origins--has the most pro-worker leanings of any of our candidates. The problem is that he can be tagged as a hypocrite because while he may talk as a man of the people, he sure doesn't live like one.

Now I personally don't care how much the man spends for hair care--as long as he's spending his own money. Putting that sort of expenditure on the campaign rolls and making it part of the public record was a mistake and yes, fair game. Besides, if I was a donor to the campaign, I would be concerned about my money going for this purpose.

Will we now see Barack Obama ostentatiously, cameras in tow, heading into Joe's Barber shop on Chicago's South Side for a $10 haircut? Will Mitt Romney be questioned about how much he spends to keep his truly remarkable locks in order? How about Hillary Clinton, well if any of those politicans put their beauty treatments on public record, they could also become the subject of ridicule.

Think of this ad: "Rudy Giuliani spent $200 for a haircut. Take a look at the results. Do you want this man spending your tax dollars?

I share your frustration.
The DU Forums have degenerated into "Campaign Pep Rallys" for favorite candidates....LONG on RAH-RAH Rhetoric, and SHORT on issues.

Your list should be applied to EACH candidate in the Democratic Party.


The Democratic Party is a BIG TENT, but there is NO ROOM for those
who advance the agenda of THE RICH (Corporate Owners) at the EXPENSE of LABOR and the POOR.

You don't REALLY think someone who is as afraid of horses as Bush admits he is REALLY walks around in a cowboy hat all the time, do you? And, you don't think someone who was born in Conn., educated in Mass., vacationed in Kennebunkport, and went to college at Yale REALLY talks like Bush does, do you? --- It's all part of a very calculated AND CULTIVATED "image". My guess is that since Bush started running for office, he's never paid for one haicut, new suit, shirt, tie, cowboy hat or anything that contributes to that "image" of Executive Cowboy in Chief.

I've worked close enough to many campaigns over the years to know that every campaign pays for the personal grooming and "look" of their candidate. They hire people to come in and advise the candidate on what to wear and how to look to reach each and every constituent they hope to get a vote from. It's part of the price of selling the candidate to the voters. My guess is that Hillary has her hair and makeup professionally done for each important appearance, and I'd be willing to the expense comes out of her campaign coffers. No ifs, ands, or buts about it. Her campaign budget is probably set up to absorb those costs under a title that isn't as blatant as "Personal Grooming", that's all -- or the service is paid for by a staffer, who is then re-imbursed by the campaign. Even guys running for Mayor used to get their haircuts for free from the local barbers!

I think the choice of this Party's next candidate is FAR TOO IMPORTANT for us to ALLOW the media to turn this into "Grooming-Gate" because Edwards is not their choice for us this month. We are being naive to the max if we think that this is something only he has done. And, we are being idiots if we allow this and only this to occupy our interest about his candidacy. Period.

We are going to need a candidate who is blessedly free of corporate ties this time if we are ever going to get a viable middle class, and a viable safety net for those below that line ever again. We have to find a candidate who will FIGHT for US and the EQUAL RIGHTS of each and every American. To be honest, if the candidate's heart and soul is in the right place, I don't care WHO does his or her hair and/or engineers his or her "image". I care about the Little Guys getting our government back.


TC

Then $400 is extremely cheap in context of a campaign.

Whose job was it to cover Nixon's famous "5 o'clock shadow" before his TV appearances?

Who cut the Kennedy's hair?

Who paid for it?

Don't care? Me, neither.

Nixon had Watergate... THAT I care about.

Reagan gave us a trickle-down economy, record homelessness, and Nicuragua-gate. THAT I care about.

JFK faced down Nikita in the Cuban Missle Crisis and won. THAT I care about.

RFK went after the Mafia and championed the poorest of the poor. THAT I care about.

While Nixon and Reagan proved to be not worth the "investment", the Kennedy's surely were, and batting 500% ain't bad.

WE have GOT to get real, or we will keep getting stiffed, fellow Dems.

To paraphrase JFK: "Ask not who paid for the haircut, but what that 'haircut's' positions are on the issues."

TC