Romney spent $300 on makeup 'consulting'

Well, "communications consulting" is how presidential candidate Mitt Romney recorded $300 in payments to a California company that describes itself as "a mobile beauty team for hair, makeup and men's grooming and spa services."

Why did you excerpt this article when it did not require it?

By: Kenneth P. Vogel Jul 16, 2007 06:57 PM EST

Romney's makeup payment is just one example of the interesting nuggets that await those willing to dig through the thousands of entries in campaign finance reports. Photo by AP

What kinds of things do you think of when you hear "communications consulting"?

Speechwriting? Message strategy?

Romney spokesman Kevin Madden confirmed that the payments -- actually two separate $150 charges -- were for makeup, though he said the former Massachusetts governor had only one session with Hidden Beauty of West Hills, Calif. That was before the May 3 Republican presidential debate at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, Calif., co-sponsored by MSNBC and The Politico.

"We used them once but booked time twice and still had to render payment for the appointment time," said Madden, who said the disbursement was listed as "communications consulting" because it was paid from the communications division's budget.

Romney's makeup payment is just one example of the interesting nuggets that await those willing to dig through the thousands of entries in campaign finance reports filed with the Federal Election Commission.

It's unclear if other presidential candidates paid for makeup services in the period covered by the latest round of reports, due Sunday night. If they did, though, it might not be obvious from a quick glance of the filings.

Politicians often wear makeup for photo and video shoots. Federal campaigns, on at least 26 different occasions since 2002, reported paying for haircuts and other primping -- services totaling $7,443, according to an analysis by The Politico of Federal Election Commission data. And Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards refunded $800 his campaign shelled out for two haircuts after he was criticized for them.

But Stacy Andrews, who made up Romney for Hidden Beauty, said he barely needs makeup.

"He's already tan," she said. "We basically put a drop of foundation on him … and we powdered him a little bit."

It's not wise for candidates -- or anyone appearing on TV, for that matter -- to scrimp on makeup, especially in this age of high-definition TV, she said, adding that she has seen pols "look orange" after bad makeup jobs.

Just because we don’t travel in those area of communication does not mean how he categorized it is correct when it is a part of the package.

You're right, we don't 'travel' in that area, and neither does the average American. Mitt needs to hire somebody to be an 'everyman' that he runs things by for the smell test. It might have prevented that 'hunter all my life' gaffe that he made a few months ago.

I just know that if we discussed some unknown guy who spent $300 on makeup consultation, most FReepers would refer to such a fellow as a metrosexual. Mitt needs to be aware of that, it smacks of Al Gore getting alpha male training during the 2000 campaign. It might be completely wrong of me to feel this way, but a real man doesn't need to hire consultants to tell him how to act like a man, if he hasn't already figured it out on his climb up the corporate ladder.

It has nothing to do with metro, unless one does not want to look like pale face one need to wear some make up and have a good hairs style that is photo genetic.

It has nothing to do with Edwards or Al Gore endless primping even Hannity, Rush, GWB before going on TV takes these precaution those who don’t are foolish,

Look what happen to Duncan Hunter a good man received no traction because his looks came across as dumpy!

There is a video out there of Hunter where he was groomed it gave him a cohesive look a pull togather, organized being.

In this day and age you can’t have a sloppy unkempt look it don’t sell it is a turn off.

Edwards and Al Gore need to do these things for their self worth, I assure you Mitt has confidence but is also wise to take council if that is what is need do it, but he does not dwell on it.

If he did dwell on it would have been more than $150 he paid $300 because that was the consultant requirement but he only used one session!

Your points are good, but we all know how Democrat missteps are minimized, and Republican gaffes (or perceived gaffes) are magnified by the media. I certainly don't want to blame Mitt for not wanting to do a Nixon (a la 1960!) and failing to appreciate that we live in a television age. But if this story gets any traction beyond the blogosphere, he may regret getting his consulting in a way that was too easy for his opponents to dig up.

Mitt's a smart guy, I give him credit for his accomplishments. I also acknowledge that he's done well at the debates, I've always seen positive reviews of him by both conservative and liberals alike. He just needs to avoid the things that chip away at the image of leadership that he's adept at portraying.

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