Michele Bachmann pulls a Rachel, gets highly coveted hairdo

    1 of 1 2 of 1

      Remember when Friends premiered on TV back in 1994, and suddenly, women everywhere were running to their hairstylists asking for the "Rachel"? Well, apparently, a new hairdo has inspired women across the U.S. to chop, straighten, and dye their locks—the "Bachmann".

      At some point on Michele Bachmann's campaign trail, soccer moms and beauty queens started to take note of the Republican presidential candidate's well-coifed head of hair. Hell, even women who are registered Democrats have reportedly been asking for the "Bachmann" at salons on both coasts.

      So what are Bachmann's hair secrets? What exact colour are her golden-auburn highlights? What brand of conditioner is she using?

      A reporter at the New York Daily News went so far as to track down Bachmann's hairdresser, a woman by the name of Tamara Robertson, to inquire about these hard-hitting questions—bless her heart. However, like a well-trained monkey—er, professional—Robertson reportedly replied, "I'm sorry, because of who I work for, I was told not to talk about it." Damn.

      Bachmann surely isn't the first woman in politics with a highly coveted 'do. Remember when Sarah Palin emerged onto the scene a few years ago? There was a lot of talk about that sassy-looking chignon she was often seen sporting. And who could forget her "business-in-the-front-party-in-the-back" half-pony she donned during the Katie Couric interview?

      Even Michelle Obama isn't immune to fawning. If women—okay, mainly Oprah—aren't talking about the first lady's sleek bob, they're trying to replicate her toned arms and sophisticated-trendy fashion choices.

      But what about Hillary Clinton? Nobody seems to want her haircut. And here up north, are women in B.C. asking for the "Christy" when they hop into their hairdressers' chairs? I doubt it, since the "Christy" is basically a slightly longer version of the "Clinton". Perhaps Christy Clark should consider hiring Bachmann's hairdresser before the next election.

      You can follow Michelle da Silva on Twitter at twitter.com/michdas.

      Comments

      15 Comments

      uknow

      Sep 2, 2011 at 11:32pm

      Sarah Palin part 2. Another redneck american loser.

      derr

      Sep 3, 2011 at 1:58am

      i looked up this author's profile, and she received a B.A. in Women's Studies only to end up writing about female politician's hair styles.

      really?

      Beth

      Sep 3, 2011 at 11:02am

      Yet more proof that it's women who are most obsessed with other women's appearances, good or bad. A persual of the masthead of any magazine that first bitchily labels women as "too" this and "too" that, and promises to "fix" them, will show it's women at the helm and women writing the stories. Personally, if I'm going to be judged on my looks I'd rather strip naked in a men's locker room than a women's.
      Beth

      ross

      Sep 3, 2011 at 1:58pm

      I think Michelle is one of Georgia Straight's best writers. I love her restaurant reviews. I think Women's Studies Programs produce some of the best creative writers. This may not be one of Michelle's best work but like it or not, it's of interest to lots of females because they care about things like hairstyle trends. Just ask anyone in the multi-billion dollar fashion industry if there's any doubt.

      Yesterday I was watching an interview with Elizabeth May on tv and she was complaining about people contacting her about her hairstyle and clothing and how as a woman this is demeaning and that no one complains or comments about what male politicians wear. Then I thought to myself, I wonder who the people are that contact her about this? What are the odds that it's women that she's complaining about?

      Women's Studies 101

      Sep 3, 2011 at 5:53pm

      As I recall, Becki Ross, who chairs the women’s and gender studies department at UBC, went on record to applaud Slutwalk organizers and encouraged reclaiming the word ´Slut`. I`d love to know what her opinion is about a possible new hair-do for Hilary Clinton.

      Birdy

      Sep 3, 2011 at 7:58pm

      Why does the media continue to ignore Ron Paul's hair?

      candice

      Sep 4, 2011 at 1:08am

      the majority of people who major in Womens studies do it because they're confused.

      insight

      Sep 4, 2011 at 6:41am

      SFU changed their program name from Women’s studies to Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies. One might logically assume that Gender includes a balanced perspectives of Men’s issues. If you thought that, well you’re sadly mistaken because it doesn't exist.

      I’m thinking of taking Misogyny 318 because in 2011 it’s of utmost important and “one of the worst possible things you can call a woman is a slut” AND “Being a woman is the ultimate insult”. For details see: http://www.sfu.ca/gsws/course_offerings/documents/GSWS3181117OS.pdf It’s worth a look at the course outlines for these courses to get an idea of the indoctrination that (mostly young) minds are subjected to.

      Here’s the Fall 2011 list of undergraduate course offerings: http://www.sfu.ca/gsws/course_offerings/index.html
      GSWS 100:3 Sex Talk: Intro to Contemporary Issues in Sexuality Studies
      GSWS 101-3: Gender Talk
      GSWS 102-3: Feminist Action
      GSWS 204-3: Sex and the City
      GSWS 312:4 Women in the Economy
      GSWS 314-4: Race, Class and Gender Relations
      GSWS 317-4: Bread Riots to Riot Grrls: Gender, Resistance and Protest in Historical Perspective
      GSWS 318-4: ST: Misogyny
      GSWS 319-4: ST: Fashioning Gender
      GSWS 320-4: ST: Bodies, Health and Gender
      GSWS 399-4 Numeracy, Gender, Culture
      GSWS 405-4: Theoretical Issues in Women's Studies
      GSWS 431-4: Local Sex on the Global Screen

      GSWS

      Sep 4, 2011 at 12:37pm

      Here's the mission statement of SFU’s Department of Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies: http://www.sfu.ca/gsws/

      Our mission is to place women at the centre of inter-disciplinary teaching and research about power relations, and to foster knowledge to transform these relations to the benefit of women.

      Hello!! Where do men’s issues fit into this? Looks like they have a special dictionary that defines Gender to their special interest! Or maybe they erased all references to men because of the misandry problem(hatred of men), er I meant to say misogyny (hatred of women) problem.

      This is a tax payer funded program. The last I heard men pay taxes too.

      And btw, the dept of GSWS were a proud ally of Slutwalk. What does a Slutwalk ally mean? http://www.slutwalkvancouver.com/p/swv-allies.html
      Slutwalk Vancouver Allies were organizations who supported the mission statement of Slutwalk Vancouver and provided support through donating supplies, rallying communities, and helping start a thousand conversations."

      confused leading the confused

      Sep 5, 2011 at 10:26am

      Interesting. In the course outline for one of the courses offered in the SFU Department of Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies there’s a quote that states that one of the worst things a woman can be called is a Slut http://www.sfu.ca/gsws/course_offerings/documents/GSWS3181117OS.pdf and it’s implied that this is due to hatred for women in modern society. Yet just a few months ago this same Academic Department was an ally and proud sponsor of Slutwalk.

      If students of Women’s Studies Programs are confused, what does that make the instructors and the people running the program?