Cost Of Edwards' Haircut Hits $1,250

Beverly Hills Hair Stylist Who Cuts Democratic Presidential Hopeful's Hair Tells All To Washington Post

(CBS/AP)  Beverly Hills stylist Joseph Torrenueva tells the Washington Post that one of his haircuts for Democratic presidential hopeful John Edwards cost $1,250 because Torrenueva had to fly to Atlanta and missed two days of work as a result.

"He has nice hair," Torrenueva told the newspaper. "I try to make the man handsome, strong, more mature and these are the things, as an expert, that's what we do."

Torrenueva, a Democrat, said he began cutting Edwards' hair for free but wound up charging him $300 to $500 per haircut, plus the cost of airfare and hotel stays. That's because Torrenueva was often forced to meet Edwards on the campaign trail to shear his locks.

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Photos: Famous Guys With Famous Hair

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Torrenueva's role came to light last April when two $400 cuts showed up on Edwards' campaign spending reports.

Edwards, 53, who has made alleviating poverty the central theme of candidacy, has been criticized for building a 28,000-square-foot house for $5.3 million near Chapel Hill, N.C. The complex of several buildings on 102 acres includes an indoor basketball court, an indoor pool and a handball court.

Edwards is also the subject of a popular YouTube spoof poking fun at his youthful good looks. The video shows the candidate combing his tresses to the dubbed-in tune of "I Feel Pretty."

Political candidates often have hair and makeup done before media appearances. Edwards rival Hillary Rodham Clinton got some attention last year when her campaign paid $2,500 for two hairstyling sessions that the campaign classified as media production expenses.

[toldyouso21]

This should really be labeled: How commerce and enterprise is abused in America. Find a greedy person with a product or service, then find a rube with more money than sense to use their services or buy their goods. Both bad examples--but a sign of the greed and self centered factor in America.

this is no different than 800.00 toilet seats for the DOD, that one can get anywhere else for 13.50.

[olebd]

Any barber could surely keep his hair looking as it does. That is the most common hairdo there is.

Oh well, I wasn't planning to vote for him anyway.

[ubrew12]

ramos937 said: "There is no way that Edwards could not have known the cost of these haircuts."

I'm not so sure. These candidates are entire machines. Frankly, I would be surprised if ANY of them knew what they were paying for their haircuts, as well as disappointed.

Someone who knows what he's paying for a haircut while running for President is no good at delegating. I'd expect the President to focus on the 'big picture', which for Edwards IS alleviating poverty, rather than the details, even about his personal life. If Edwards knows where his kids are, and what amount of SocSec is going to have to be cut to help pay for the Reagan/Bush debt of $9 trillion, I'll settle for that.

It's obvious our current occupant didn't know where Iraq was before he invaded it.

Bet he knows what his haircuts cost though...

[ramos937]

I very much hate a hypocritical candidate particularly one for President. There is no way that Edwards could not have known the cost of these haircuts. For example, he knows the stylist is based in CA. For him to have cut his hair in GA, must have cost a lot.

The next time he sends me an appeal for money, I am sending nothing but a clip of this story. This proves that he cannot have any real concept of what poverty is.

[effallah]

This nonsense must cease. Vote for bald candidates only.

[david1737]

I find it interesting that a story about an expensive haircut tops one about yet another Repub. breaking ranks with the Bush Admin. on Iraq.

"(AP) Sen. Pete Domenici on Thursday withdrew his support of President Bush's Iraq war policy and embraced instead a proposal to bring home most troops by next March."

I thought Conservatives believed that if you have the means ($$$$$) to enjoy nice things then it's your right have them. I guess that only applies to Neo-Cons and their Hummers?

Poor doctors having to drive one Mercedes rather than three, living in 10,000 sq. ft. homes and larger. They are suffering so much, poor things!

[ringading3]

One of the best doctors I know has been forced to cut back his practice and be very selective in choosing his patients because of the cost of malpratice insurance. This doctor delived two of my three children and his partner delived the other child. I fault greedy trial attorneys like Edwards for this crises in health care. Don't vote for any attorney for any public office! These scum pass the laws to enrich themselves.

[micma-2009]

Hmmm...how much does he spend on socks and underwear?

That would be a juicy story!

Inquiring minds want to know.

Never mind the issues.

We want to know about socks and underwear!

Tell us now!

[fairandbal]

This is news? Seriously, CBS is becoming no better than the ultra conservative GOP propaganda noise machine at Fox News.
What really need to know is how much Barney Bush's grooming service costs. Now THAT would be the 'news' America and the rest of the world needs to hear.

Let's not report about Iraq, or the exploding US Debt under Bush or whatever...that's too pedestrian for us to really care about isn't it.

[ubrew12]

tibu987 said: "I certainly would not vote for a man so vain and so frivolous with money as Edwards. "

Ironic, isn't it? 'Vain and frivolous'? You just described yourself...

Anyone who would make a Presidential vote over such inconsequential doo doo as a haircut has MY vote for 'vain and frivolous'!

I'm beginning to understand how we ended up with the Shrub.

[randalds]

I don't care. Not even a little.

[tibu987]

I certainly would not vote for a man so vain and so frivolous with money as Edwards. It is beside the point that is his money and he can afford it.
Edwards to me personifies the type of politician we need to get rid of, not elect to office.
Gimme a break.

[yann123-2009]

I'm really ,really happy to read comments from people who look at more than just the front cover of the paper and television. I am supporting John Edwards for the issues that he supports,because they support the people not the corporations.

[likeitis5050]

They all have a way with money. And they all like to spend money.

[ubrew12]

I have no idea whether or not John Edwards is the best candidate for our next President. But I DO have the sneaking suspicion that if he is NOT selected, it will over the cost of his haircuts. And it horrifies me to think that that could happen in what was once the worlds greatest democracy.

[gabbysmomrs]

Give me a break! It's his money...I get really upset when people who are wealthy are told what they should spend their money on...they may, or may not, do what you think they should...it is their money.

I'm living on disability and it isn't easy, but ya know what? It's his money.

[qpublic]

Not to mention that most of his personel wealth came from suing obstetricians who were unfortunate enough to deliver a baby with cerebral palsy. Only since then has it been medically proven that cerebral palsy has nothing to do with the delivery and happens much earlier in the pregnancy. I guess he just forgot to give that money back. And now he wants to use our money to fix health care? No thanks.

[mellene-2009]

I found it quite amusing that no one mentions Laura Bush's $700 haircuts and the White House 5 year contract with Andre Chreky who was recently sued for sexual harrassment. I guess it's alright if you get elected, to also wear $3000 suits. I understand that the U.S. Congress has quite a subsidy for cheap haircuts but charges the public in excess of $700,000 per year (figures as of 1992-1997). That's quite a bit for us to bear for their haircuts.

[micma-2009]

Hmmm...how much does he spend on socks and underwear?

That would be a juicy story!

Inquiring minds want to know.

Never mind the issues.

We want to know about socks and underwear!

Tell us now!