If there's one thing political pundits love, it's reducing politicians to one-dimensional figures (see Hillary Clinton: woman, Barack Obama: black, and now, Bill Richardson: beard). With his Judas-like endorsement of Obama, Richardson and his cheek-coat have been thrust into the media spotlight this week, and not since Rutherford B. Hayes' scraggly chin mane has facial hair sent the fourth estate scurrying quite so excitedly. Just look at what they're saying:

•"It's time to go back to the campaign, Bill, I think, and take that off."
Candy Crowley, CNN, March 23, 2008

•"Bill Richardson got 2 percent in Iowa, 5 percent in New Hampshire and, you know, that was before the beard."
Rachel Maddow, MSNBC, March 22, 2008

•And maybe [Richardson's endorsement] will help [Obama] make inroads among the guys- with- beards vote."
John King, CNN, March 21, 2008

•"Mr. Richardson was still sporting a beard, which he grew during what he called a period of decompression after abandoning his presidential bid two months ago."
Jeff Zelany, New York Times, March 21, 2008

•"Looking more and more dignified with each passing day."
John Roberts, CNN, February 27, 2008

•"Nice beard, by the way."
Wolf Blitzer, CNN, February 26, 2008

•"With facial hair, Bill Richardson looks a bit like a Klingon from the original Star Trek series."
Matthew Yglesias, The Atlantic, February 5, 2008

•"He has a beard and is deeply, deeply tanned. He looks like a Bond villain."
Mother Jones, February 5, 2008

•"The latest guy to boycott the shave: New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson"
Roll Call, February 4, 2007