$600 for makeup? (MORE: $300 FOR ROMNEY MAKEUP!?)

John “$400 haircut x 2” Edwards doesn’t have anything on Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich:

SPRINGFIELD — Stuck for weeks combing over numbers in the state’s fiscal impasse, Gov. Rod Blagojevich found himself the object of ridicule Saturday over a newly discovered $600 bill for a makeup artist he used when he unveiled his budget months ago.

“He didn’t get his money’s worth,” said state Sen. Larry Bomke (R-Springfield).

The $600 bill was paid with taxpayer funds by mistake, and the makeup artist is reimbursing the state, Blagojevich spokeswoman Abby Ottenhoff said. The governor’s political fund provided records that show the artist billed the campaign fund and has been paid with campaign funds already.

Blagojevich came under fire earlier for flying round-trip between Chicago and Springfield on a state plane at a cost of thousands of dollars per day to participate in budget negotiations, rather than staying in the governor’s mansion in Springfield.

The bill for the travel, lighting consultation and makeup work by Deborah Dee of Crystal Lake for the governor’s March budget address was similar to preparation she does for him for television commercials and special events, Ottenhoff said.

[…]

As House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) tried to send lawmakers home for the weekend, state Rep. Ron Stephens (R-Greenville) jokingly questioned when to expect a meeting of the “Gubernatorial Cosmetology Committee,” prompting laughter from many of the 53 lawmakers at the brief session.

“Word has not arrived from the second floor,” said Madigan, referring to the governor’s capitol office. “But stay tuned.”

Getting a haircut on the taxpayer’s dime while your state is stuck in a fiscal impasse: almost as bad as proposing an “iPod for every kid” at a time when your state is facing a major revenue shortage.

Update: A reader emails: “Wonder if Edwards would consider Blagojevich for a running mate?”

Tue AM Update: Sheesh – the stories keeping on comin’: Romney spent $300 on makeup ‘consulting’. Here’s what Romney got out of that:

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.

They paid $300 for that?

Look, I know people want to look good in photos and videos and all that, but c’mon – $300? For all the makeup products I need, including foundation, powder, mascara, lipstick, and blush, it takes between $30-$35 and I apply it myself (gasp!). Surely their wives could take care of applying it for them if these guys really have that much of a problem trying to apply it?