Image Dos and Don'ts for John Edwards

THIRD PLACE BY A HAIR Edwards

If nothing else has become clear in American politics this week, at least we now know that John Edwards likes to look good. And if looking good costs $1,250 (airfare included, natch), then so be it.

But Edward's pricey stylist wasn't the only member of the candidate's camp to break ranks in recent weeks. Edward's wife, Elizabeth , got in a heated argument with conservative waif Ann Coulter on MSNBC's Hardball, igniting rumors that the whole thing might have been a publicity ploy to raise money for her hubby's campaign.

That wouldn't be out of the question, as Edwards recently e-mailed supporters asking for handouts in order to reach a goal of $9 million raised for the quarter, a big step below the $14 million he was able to raise in the first quarter. He's in third place among Democratic candidates but well behind front-runners Hillary Clinton ($27 million) and Barack Obama ($32 million) for earning in the last three months.

It's precisely these kinds of challenging moments that lead to a public relations emergency. With politics, image is everything, baby. So as Johnny's coif fell flat with critics, RadarOnline.com got on the horn to Frank Kauffman, executive VP and general manager of Edelman PR, the firm known for handling political hot potatoes on the Hill.

John Edwards, you're in the PR/ER!