Grapevine: John Edwards 'trims' costs

Former presidential candidate trades salons for Supercuts

And now some fresh pickings from the Political Grapevine...

Less Is Less

Congress is handing out fewer earmarks for less of your money but there is also less accountability.

That is from the Congressional Pig Book on pork-barrel spending projects for 2012.

Citizens Against Government Waste finds earmarks have decreased by 98 percent since 2010 and the cost has dropped 80 percent.

Questionable items are still getting funded though.

Highlights include $255 million to upgrade the M1 Abrams tank that is opposed by the Pentagon.

$115 million for the United Nations Democracy Fund despite the Obama administration never requesting such funding.

And $3 million for aquatic plant control.

Stranglehold

Saturday, rocker and Mitt Romney supporter Ted Nugent called the Obama administration evil and added if President Obama gets re-elected -- quote -- "I will either be dead or in jail by this time next year."

The Democratic National Committee pounced, calling the remarks deplorable and demanding Romney denounce them.

Romney's camp has said the candidate believes everyone needs to be civil. White House Press Secretary Jay Carney punted today, saying we can't police statements of supporters.

Trimming Costs

And finally, former Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards has apparently traded in salon haircuts for Supercuts.

The New York Post reports employees at the Raleigh, North Carolina Supercuts shop count Edwards as a client, saying he gets the $12.95 trim.

Edwards was famous for getting $400 haircuts from a Beverly Hills stylist.

The Post points out, he could get them for free in federal prison, if he is found guilty of violating campaign finance laws.