Things are getting hairy in the Democratic presidential race, and this time, it's thanks to John Edwards.

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On Tuesday night's "Late Show With David Letterman," Letterman asked if he could mess up the former North Carolina senator's perfectly styled hair just a little.

"You want to? Go ahead," Edwards replied, and Letterman plunged his fingers in and made a mess of Edwards' hair. The candidate laughed and tried to reciprocate.

Edwards once spent more than $1,200 on a stylist, including travel costs.

Letterman asked about the testy debate Monday night debate between Edwards and Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama in South Carolina.

The debate was notable for a new, sharper tone in arguments between Clinton and Obama, with Edwards left fighting to get a word in edgewise.

"What was that like? You were right there," Letterman asked.

"What I was trying to do was represent the grown-up wing of the Democratic Party last night," Edwards said.

Earlier Tuesday, Edwards was interviewed by Tyra Banks for the episode of her talk show set to air on Friday.

Banks asked what it feels like to be a minority as a white male on the campaign trail.

"It feels like you have to fight for everything you get," Edwards said.