President Barack Obama waits to be introduced at a luncheon for U.S. Senate candidate Alexi Giannoulias of Illinois at the Palmer House Hilton in Chicago, Ill., Aug. 5, 2010. Right to left, Trip Coordinator Jordan Whichard, Bobby Schmuck, political affairs staff assistant, and Director of Political Affairs Patrick Gaspard, wait with the President.
"Lots of people have good luck talismans, and President Obama has the hair on his aides' faces. White House staffers Jon Favreau, Ben Rhodes, and Bobby Schmuck are all wearing beards now, according to a White House pool report in a bid to keep their jobs.