Bill Maher's thoughts on Iowa/Dean speech, wolf-Blitzer-reports transcript

[DaisyUCSB]

http://www.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0401/20/wbr.00.html

BLITZER: Bill Maher brought new meaning to the term politically incorrect. Now he's the host of HBO's "Real Time With Bill Maher." He's joining us now live from New York.

Congratulations, first of all, the show resuming Friday night. We'll be watching, of course, throughout this year.

How does it feel to be a factor, effectively, in this election, because what do you say could have significance, significant impact on a lot of people?

BILL MAHER, COMEDIAN: I think your smoking, Wolf, whatever Howard Dean is taking, because I don't see myself as a factor, but I think we can entertain people. I think we can keep things in perspective for people.

EDITED BY ADMIN: COPYRIGHT

[aquart]

1. Maher is not a Democrat. He's a Libertarian.

It's nice that he wants a general to lead us.

Not a decision I favor, but hey, it's sort of a free country.

[DaisyUCSB]

2. he may not be a democrat, but he is a liberal

read this article

http://archive.salon.com/ent/tv/feature/2001/08/01/maher/

Is Bill Maher a libertarian?
His "Politically Incorrect" record calls him something else.

- - - - - - - - - - - -
By Dann Halem

Aug. 1, 2001 | Perhaps the most politically incorrect thing Bill Maher could do these days is admit he's more or less a liberal.

With the White House and Congress solidly conservative and the Senate on a constant Democratic deathwatch, these are not the best of times to be teetering left of center. And so the host of ABC's "Politically Incorrect" has done a rather political thing.

He's come out as a libertarian.

For Maher, this isn't a recent phenomenon. Maher had been calling himself libertarian well before Bill Clinton left for Chappaqua, N.Y. And why not? The host of the late-night political discussion program has never been above raising a few eyebrows. ...

[JaneQPublic]

9. Can a misogynist be a liberal? (nt)

[DaisyUCSB]

11. please don't reenforce the feminazi stereotype

That thinking a guy who is a playboy, is someone therefor who hates women. That is what a mysogynist is, a hater of women

I'm not calling you anything, but I can't understand why you would call him that

[waylon]

3. Hes on the left of Libertarian

[DaisyUCSB]

5. except he's against some really huge tenets of modern libertarians

he favors a social safety net and gun control

The only things that make him libertarian are his opposition to the drug war, and little things like thinking that social security is a bad program and the national endowment of the arts should be eliminated

so he's a slightly more anti-pork liberal than most liberals

He likes McCain, he defends Clinton against his scandal, he voted for Nader, but he now doesn't like to talk about that and sort of regrets it, he's an independant-minded liberal

[Valjean]

10. Also

He's for open immigration as evidenced by his,

"Like you would sell oranges on the freeway from a paper bag."

schpeel.


I don't agree with Bill Maher 100%. But I think that's the sign of mature adults. Those goofs on the right who march lockstep engage in group-think.

I respect Mill Maher. I often agree with him. I often disagree with him. At times I've thought that he was as smug and condescending as Stein ;-)

Bill Maher will have Republicans on his show and treat them with respect and dignity. He does the same for lefties. But whats especially important is that he demands a level of civility on his program. I guarantee you that Al Sharpton and whats his name will NEVER be on his show again after their behavior last Friday.

Darryl Isa by contrast acted like an educated, well spoken adult. He will be back on Real Time. The point is that you can't seriously conduct the people's business when your acting like a child. Otherwise, we'll all be CarrotHead ;-)

[eissa]

4. And he only dates

playmates with big boobies.

[windansea]

6. heh heh

I'm jealous

[eileen_d]

7. I appreciate Maher's honesty at the beginning

Normally he makes me :eyes: but I am glad he at least recognizes his role.-- I am referring specifically to this exchange:
MAHER: ...I don't see myself as a factor, but I think we can entertain people. I think we can keep things in perspective for people.

BLITZER: But people, young people especially, will be watching your program, other programs. And to a certain degree, unfortunately, tragically, we could say, that's where they're going to be getting a lot of their political news from. You've seen this. You've felt this. You've heard this.

(note to Blitzer: do you usually attempt hypnosis in your interviews?)

MAHER: Yes. And if you expect me to condemn it, I'm not going to...

Translation: Yes, I am a media whore, but it's a living, and nobody's forcing you to watch me.

As for his take on Iowa, I don't agree with all of it, but I do like Kerry, Clark and Edwards. But I don't take any cues from Maher about politics any more than I take cues from John Stamos on which phone company to use.

Edited to add "translation"

[Feanorcurufinwe]

8. "appropriate if you're a crystal meth addict at a Don King weigh-in"

LOL

[Moderator]

12. DaisyUCSB

Per DU copyright rules
please post only four
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Thank you.



DU Moderator