California Hairstylists Weigh in on Fiorina's 'Bar Hair' Gaffe

IRVINE, Calif. -- Though many California voters may not see the connection between President Abraham Lincoln and Sen. Barbara Boxer, a few strands of hair link these two politicians from different eras. During his campaign for the White House, Lincoln received a letter from Grace Bedell, an 11-year-old girl who chided him to grow a beard so voters would like him.

Sen. Boxer has her own Grace Bedell. But in the 2010 race for a U.S. Senate seat, her critic also is her chief rival. Carly Fiorina, the Republican opponent for Boxer's seat, criticized the incumbent's hair in early June on an open microphone, saying it was "So yesterday."

But Southern California voters -- even hairstylists -- aren't finding the blow-up over hair all that integral to the race.

"When I'm picking a candidate, it is not about how she wears her hair," hairstylist Debbie Pina, 24, said. "It's about how she's going to get the job done. Obviously, she shouldn't be going to work with her hair all up in a mess -- there's a professional look you are supposed to achieve -- but that's not really one of my concerns."

While Pina, who cuts hair at the Irvine Spectrum Mall, said she does think the controversy surrounding Fiorina's remarks is "ridiculous," she did say that hairstyles can be valuable for one's image.

"I think it is a concern, especially with the image that California represents. (It's) all about the looks and how well you dress and how your hairstyle is. But I think a lot of it has to do with how their hair makes them feel. If their hair is done, they just feel a lot better and they leave a little more confident," Pina said.

Linda Husser, owner of Linda's Hair Affair in Tustin, wondered what Fiorina's remarks have to do with running the state.

"That sounds like what you say when you actually don't have anything to say. You look for the obvious and you are acting mean. Encourage a debate, by all means, but these are grown women," Husser said. "We're talking about California, saving the state, getting our schools better, reducing taxes -- and you want to come out and talk about hair."

Although Fiorina attributed the remark to a friend, it was still the Republican candidate who uttered the comment about Boxer's hair. Husser said Fiorina is setting a bad example for students, especially those on debate teams.

"Parents would be disappointed if their kids ended a debate session by playing on someone's shortcomings. I think people are flabbergasted that she chose to go there. That's like saying someone needs a nose job. Even though they may need one, you don't say that," she said.

Female salon owners and stylists had strong opinions about Fiorina's remark, but Southern California men said they weren't as concerned. A young man sitting next to Pina at the Irvine Spectrum Mall thought the whole thing was "stupid."