Edwards 'embarrassed' by haircut

Font Size:

By Todd Dorman | Saturday, April 21, 2007 5:13 PM CDT | () comments

Presidential hopeful John Edwards speaks during the 'Keepers of the Dream Awards Dinner' Wednesday, April 18, 2007 during the 9th annual National Action Network convention in New York. Wednesday, April 18, 2007 in New York. Democratic presidential contenders are scrambling for support in what's being dubbed the Al Sharpton primary. This election, the high-profile Sharpton, fresh from the fight over Don Imus' derogatory remarks, is attracting all the party's major candidates this week for his annual National Action Network convention.(AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

ADEL, Iowa — As a gusty spring wind tousled his neatly trimmed locks Friday, Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards said he’s embarrassed about his now-famous $400 haircut.

Campaign finance records show that Edwards’ campaign paid a Beverly Hills stylist $400 for his haircuts. Those pricey snips have undercut Edwards’ image as a populist crusading for the little guy.

“It’s a ridiculous amount of money for a haircut,” Edwards told reporters after a campaign stop on Adel’s town square. “I’m actually embarrassed by it.

“This guy had to come to where I was to get a haircut. I knew it’d be expensive. I didn’t know it would be that expensive. Hopefully, I’ll have enough sense not to do that again.”

Edwards rejected the notion that his haircuts don’t jibe with his campaign message. He spent Friday touting a plan for rural recovery that calls for helping small farmers and business owners.

“It doesn’t change who I am, what I believe in,” Edwards said. “My whole life has been spent standing up for people who have no voice, and I’ll do that as long as I’m alive.”

Edwards joked about the haircut fallout during his talk to 150 voters. He said his personal story is an example of why people want to come to America.

“They want to come here because people like me ... the son of a mill worker ... can now be running for president and paying $400 for a haircut,” Edwards said to loud laughter.

Todd Dorman can be contacted at (515) 243-0138 or todd.dorman@lee.net.