Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke is one of the rare Washington insiders with a full-on beard, one that creeps down his neck and looks like it’s about to escape down his collar. While contemplating trimming interest rates, he might consider pruning the facial fuzz. (Alex Wong / Getty Images)
New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson caused a minor stir when he shaved off his beard before being tapped for President-elect Barack Obama’s Cabinet. At a press conference, Obama expressed regret over Richardson’s decision to lose the whiskers: “I thought that whole Western, rugged look was really working for him. (Charlie Neibergall / Associated Press)
