Bill Maher Tells Olbermann Why He's Criticizing Obama (VIDEO)

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Bill Maher appeared on "Countdown" on Monday night to discuss his disappointment with President Obama, asserting that if Obama doesn't act boldly on health care reform and other progressive issues, the Democrats could lose the midterm elections in 2010.

He was critical of Obama's speech to the American Medical Association today, since they're a lobbying group that he claims has obstructed previous efforts at health care reform.

"When I heard the president get that round of applause at the AMA today, that's when I knew we were in trouble."

Maher said that his editorial criticizing Obama on "Real Time With Bill Maher" on Friday night was greeted with cheers, which surprised him since his "very liberal Southern California audience" usually boos when he goes after the president.

"They're getting to the point where they're saying 'Yeah, we still like Obama. He's our guy. We're glad he's our president. But where's the beef?" And it's easy to make speeches. What's hard to do is stand up to corporations. Corporations and their incredible strength are what have ruined this country so far. And this president we thought might be the one to stand up to them. I'm losing hope. I still have audacity but my hope is fading."

Maher repeated his concerns that Obama was "caving in to corporations and lobbyists. The track record so far is not good," slamming the president for "not putting it on the line and standing up to the energy companies, the health care industry, the banks."

The lack of initiative could cause political harm, warned Maher. "If he doesn't act boldly, then he's probably going to lose the midterm elections. If he can't shove some progressive legislation down their throats now, I don't know when it's going to happen."

As he did on Friday night, Maher said that Obama could use a little of Bush's decisiveness - without the misguided policies.

"When he wanted to get something done, he got it done... If Bush could go to war in Iraq when nobody was thinking about it, how come this president can't get through something like health care reform in a way that the people really want when people are actually for it."

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Comments

[tbone32]

Everyone would save themselves a lot of time, energy and trouble if they just realized that the President of the United States is controlled by the corporations. This is how they become President. Period. Nothing is going to get done unless the corporations say so. Same goes for Congress except a small handful (Kucinich, etc.) of the hundreds involved. The political discourse goes around and around and around without ever getting to this point. This has been going on for years. Whenever anyone tries to really "change" things, what do you think happens? Look at JFK and Bobby. Its not rocket science. Obama knows this. I think Obama is a good man, but he knows this.

[Jack 01]

I like Bill Maher but what he's saying here is absolute nonsense! This president has worked his behind off since he got into office. How does the president control who puts him on TV? Why is he trying to promote this nonsense that the president's highest priority is to be liked?

Shut up BIll!

[Pete2069]

Democrats are starting to sound like the republicans in the defense of Bush.

Why is it we can not except the facts in front of our eyes!

[Shaktima Brien]

Bill Mahr criticizes Obama for being present with his people, as a good leader, who shows the way.
I just heard Obama's speech this morning, regarding "fatherhood"; he gave me goose bumps.
I have never heard a man talking that way about what it means, and how to be a good father. Men need to hear that.
I like that Obama engages us in the proces, that he shares his train-of-thoughts, so that we can follow. He is not invisible or unaccessible.
He learned long time ago that it is in the trenches with the community that he can best reach and hear the grass-roots.
We are moving together, step-by-step.

[Pete2069]

Words are fruitless if not put in action..

Obama has changed his actions from what he claim he was going to do for the PEOPLE and COUNTRY on his campaign trail.
Emanuel has pushed Obama into this policy of moving our party to the center (right) and if democrats can not see this then we have a problem..
This Global Empire has just about taken complete power on wealth from the citizens and our country and they are still rolling..>

[foxbat]

Politifact seems to disagree with you. Obama's record of keeping campaign promises versus breaking them is actually pretty good.

Folks can follow along for themselves using the Politifact "Truth-O-Meter"

http://politifact.com/truth-o-meter/

[David Hartley]

Bill Maher brought up nearly all of the most important points: especially, If Not Now, WHEN ?
Where Bush abused power to achieve ends NONE of "the public" wanted..
Obama is showing almost a fear of using his power to achieve one of his campaign platform promises which at least 62% of "US" are in favor of .. not to mention many doctors and practically every nurse.
The possibility of Obama caving in to corporate $ and lobbyists is what we need to support him against.
If you are "PRO OBAMA" .. be "PRO"-active in being a voice of support for him delivering on his campaign promises! Apparently he NEEDS our help to be-the-man, to stand up to the pressure. None of this makes him a bad person; everything we can do in this regard will make him the greatest President he can be.

[Pete2069]

I agreed entirely.. I think Obama's first mistake was getting Emanuel to control his policies...
We should never fall into the same dark pit the republicans did/have ,,, in which they agreed with Bush's action no matter how bad it was or even when it was destroying our country...

[Flavor]

Not only do I not mind the president being critiqued but I must say where were you the last 8 years when we really needed to critique, the last administration for leaving this mess. You weren't being heard because that administration did not even get with it's own party much because it was a party of us four and no more. Now! here comes the shouts because our president ain't moving the way non-Obama supporters want him to move this ain't go and fetch it, he has a big job to do and I as well as every american has an issue that we probably want him to handle but I know that my issue may be the last one he can get to and I am willing to wait, I waited 8 years and waited while not one of my issues were addressed. The borders,I never got an answer, no child left behind was a joke! Please give me a break!!!

[jsar70]

The difference between Obama supporters and Bush supporters? When Obama is off the mark, we have the stones to criticize him. As a wise being once said, "We're not criticizing the MAN, we're criticizing his IDEAS." It's okay to like Obama and what he potentially brings to the table, but it's just that, POTENTIAL. We need action, Mr. President.

[maddocbrown]

Any dictator would admire the uniformity and obedience of the U.S. media.

--Noam Chomsky.

[justmeinAz]

Wow. A lot of people here with their hackles up because someone from the left dared criticize Obama. This is how you can tell the real progressives from the Obama fan club. Not I or even Bill expect Obama to please us all the time, but he is definitely steering a more conservative and cautious course than he should. When your boat is about to go off a waterfall, you don't satisfy yourself with a nudge in the right direction.
The "he's only had 5 months" argument is bogus. He's working on passing Healthcare now, and whatever happens with it this first itme around, that's the system we're going to have for the entire time he's in office. There will be no nudging it in the right direction after the fact, so it has to be done right the very first time. Obama has taken single payer off the table, and seems far too willing to sacrifice more than he should in order to be able to brag that his bill is "bipartisan." This is nuts. The reason the republicans have been losing elections big time for the last four years is exactly because the ideas they bring to the table are so bad. Chefs don't let waiters spit in the soup so that they can call it a team effort. This is nonsense.

[KnowzyRowzy]

Great post!

[Flavor]

It is not bogus to say he has been in office 5 months. You are I could not have done in this short time what he has already done besides Bill Maher is not against President Obama, he voted for him and has a right to voice (his) opinion but he, or( you) or( I), don't speak for everybody he is not a spokesperson for all democrats. We the people all have a voice and (I) think President Obama has done great especially trying to undo the wrong that was left by the rep, we were hated by most countries enough so that they all could have got together and taken us out. Considering only 5mths of being in office, You Go President Obama!!!!!

[Flavor]

Hello, he has done more than some have. I know for a fact most of us could not have done all the demands we are trying to put on him for his short time of being in office, not one of you who feel he has done nothing, give me a break!!! we had to endure 8yrs of turmoil and since feb,2008 I've seen 7 homes on my street go into foreclosure and last year 2 big buisness folded up and left and numerous people are still unemployed since last year. Yes, he wanted the seat and I am going to let him run this race and wish him well. We had 8 yrs of a president who we could not get any answers from and no one hollored about that administration who clearly did not want to hear from the people and had the syndrome of us four and no more. Plus, we had to look at the rep. party call the shots and we were hated everywhere so this is how it goes, whoever is in the Commander and Chief seat and it ain't your party you get hated on so now the question is,Why can't we all jus get alone?

[deesee]

Bill is completely right. If not now, when? Democrats, are the majority. Hello...that means you got the majority of the votes. That means the majority of voters, even if its only 50.0001% of the voters, get to call the shots.

Grow a pair and let's get it done. Geez.

[kinnycut]

Obama has only been President for a little over a hundred days. We should give him more of a chance before we start criticizing him. We gave Bush eight years and he accomplished nothing for the people.

[csmcmillion]

Who says Bush accomplished nothing? We got the Iraq War, the Katrina disaster, the worst financial crisis since the GD and the nationalization of banks. I think that's quite a list of accomplishments.

[DvusRai]

First you anti bushies complained that you didnt like bush because he refused to compromise with the opposite party on any issue. You wanted a guy who was the exact opposite of bush. Someone willing to bring the ENTIRE nation together. You elect a man who promises to work with BOTH sides of the aisle. Said man does exactly what he campaigned on & now certain people who voted on Pres. Obama to be opposite of bush are complaining that they want Obama to be more like bush. WHAT?!? This aint Burger King. You cant have it anyway you want it. Give the man his 4 years & see where he takes us. Quit with the revisionist history bush was able to get his programs through because of 9/11. Anytime someone opposed bush on anything before 2006, bush used 9/11 as a means to counter any argument against him. The Bush administration used fear as a means in order to get what they wanted. Remember if you disagreed with the former president then you were showing the terrorist that we were weak as a nation. Or at least that's what they were shoveling at us.

[sfsilver]

Bill really summed up exactly how I feel. He was off base on Friday's show with his "Obama as TV star" rant, but on this topic he's right on. I've been floored by how little actual needed change has even been proposed, let alone accomplished. I feel like very little has been done given all the brouhaha. There's been entirely too much capitulation to a party that is in disarray and largely powerless that has no public support, and so little change. I also think the argument that it's too early to draw any conclusions is off base. We aren't even hearing good proposals. The regulation on banking that is needed isn't even on the table. There's been no action to investigate the war crimes of the previous administration. literally no leadership on civil rights. Wishy washy action on health care. I'm still with him, but I'm deeply frustrated.

[kittybitty]

I think it's ironic that Bill is demanding that Obama stand up to corporations.

Hey, Bill! YOU FIRST, BUDDY!

Real Time has gone from a predominately liberal show, to Bill coddling to his Republican friends. For past couple of seasons, he's had more righties outnumbering lefties at the table. He allows his right wing buddies to spew all kinds of crap at the expense of his liberal guests.

Bill needs to practice what he preaches.

[Flavor]

Bill Mahr, does not speak for all america his opinion on a matter is his opinion. President Obama, is a leader who was left a whole lot of mess to sort thru, and of course if you are a rep. you will agree with Bill Mahr but lets remember he also voted for president Obama, should we critique our president absolutley without a doubt. I believe that this president will do a good job (my opinion). Outside of me believing this I have confidence that he was the one for that seat and I am in no ways apologetic for voting for him. Mr. Mahr has every right to his opinion and to voice it but he does not speak for me. I am an independent voter and will continue to be.