After a close shave, the beardless status quo returns to politics

Christopher Oldstone-Moore, senior lecturer of history, wrote about why politicians usually do not wear beards in the Wall Street Journal. His commentary begins:

“America’s highest-ranking facial hair has fallen to the razor. In November Paul Ryan made headlines when he quit shaving, becoming the first House speaker with a beard since the appropriately named Frederick Gillett in the 1920s. But last week, as Congress came back into session, Mr. Ryan once again banished the bristles, saying that he would begin the new year with a fresh start and a fresh shave.”

Read the commentary (subscription required).