Bill Maher Discusses Obama, Letterman And Palin On CNN (VIDEO)

Bill Maher, who aired his displeasure with the pace at which President Obama is accomplishing his policy objectives on his HBO show Friday night, made an appearance on CNN's "Situation Room" with Wolf Blitzer tonight to reiterate his concerns.

Maher argues that Obama needs to be more like former President George W. Bush when it comes to taking decisive action. The former president, with a much smaller majority than Obama has, was able to push through several very contentious policies - a massive tax cut for the wealthy, for example - and Maher is looking for a little more of that 'audacity' from Obama.

Maher also lamented the lack of a real progressive party in America:

We have the Democrats, who are what the Republicans used to be when I was a kid. They are a pro-business party; a corporate friendly, pro-business party. And then we have the Republicans, which are just just a club for angry white people and Jesus freaks. I don't know what they are.

Maher also combated the idea that Obama is taking the nation in a "socialist" direction, calling the charge "so ridiculous because Barack Obama is not a socialist, he's not even a liberal. That's the point I'm trying to make. This country needs a left-wing. It doesn't have it."

The "Real Time" host attributed part of the blame for the lack of a true left-wing in America to the media because they elevate personalities such as Newt Gingrich without doing the same for a corresponding voice on the other side of the political spectrum.

Although Maher believes Obama's not doing enough on domestic policy, he said the president is doing a "terrific" job on foreign policy.

Maher weighed in on the David Letterman-Sarah Palin controversy, stating that Letterman is a "fundamentally decent Midwesterner" and that his remarks were twisted into a "lie that [got] into the media and then [became] the truth." Maher said it was a "shame" that Letterman had to apologize.

Watch Maher's interview with CNN below:

Comments

[indeevoter]

Bill Maher has a right to his opinion - and the freedom to express it. But why should anybody give a damn what HE thinks of President Obama's performance. He's a comedian for gawd's sake - not some erudite expert at analyzing presidential performance. He's just another 'Joe' with an opinion!

As far as I'm concerned, any Democrat who embraces Bill Maher's view of the world just because it's Bill Maher's - is just as deluded and pitiful as those Republicans who mindlessly embrace Rush Limbaugh's every word.

Hey Bill...if tyou don't like the way Obama's running his presidency - tough! Don't vote for him the next time. But do ya really have to hop from one TV forum to the next, to tell us that same thing, over and over and over again?

[solvseus]

"Why should anybody give a damn what HE thinks of Obama's performance."

Uh... because we agree with him? Obama's being far too cautious for us. Both on the left and those in the middle who can see where the real middle is, not this right leaning "middle" created by the not-at-all­"liberal"m­edia, the loud mouths on the far-right, and worse, the Dems who're all too ready to acquiesce. Most of us support things like healthcare reform, credit reform, repealing DADT, gov transparency, etc. but the tiny minority who don't want those are treated as equals. Worse actually, LEADING the debate, while Dems let them. Acting as if the~70%+majority of us wanting big changes are the minority.

Acting as if the experts out there, who've been right about these things for years now, even as they were mocked by knownothing talking-heads, aren't calling for MORE. MORE stimulus money, MORE regulation, and MORE transparency. They're ignored, or even mocked, while people who're usually wrong, like Kristol or Rove or Cheney or some commenter on Fox who splices speeches to make someone look like they're saying the opposite of what they're really saying, are treated as legitimate. Not even legitimate opposition, sometimes treated as if THEY are the experts.

They aren't. They're wrong. Maher's listening people who're right. Who have been right, and continue to be. Unfortunately, those people are no longer on the Right, NOR on what we still call the Left (and Middle) that isn't.

[maryyooch]

"We have the Democrats, who are what the Republicans used to be when I was a kid. "

Bill, I have been saying that for years now. Isn't it disgusting how the Democratic Party had to change radically to the center-right while the republican party just got more insane? Back in the good old days, I actually had some respect for the repubs.

[rsprags]

I wonder why the President's rating drop 5% with NBC & Wall Street journal only; when did a Rumpert Murdoch newspaper become interest in working with NBC. Strange bed fellows; President's rating remain steady with Gallup and the other media outlets. I'm going to keep my eye on Chuck Todd; this guy cannot be trusted and the Robert Gibbs and team must realize this fact. They give him too much access. I can deal with most of them on MSNBC - except Chuck Todd and Joe Scarborough; there is something mean and evil about those two!

[StephenJK]

I knew Chuck Todd was untrustworthy when he was helping destroy Clinton with MATHEMATICS during the primary campaign.

[rsprags]

President Obama does not mind lively debate and folks not like his leadership style; however many liverals are too impatient and repurgs are betting their entire political career on fighting the President on everything by becoming the party of "no".

[ThisIsJustMyObservation]

NBC -- President Obama's Approval --- 56%

CBS -- President Obama's Approval --- 62%

Gallop- President Obama's Approval -- 61%

[ThisIsJustMyObservation]

Correction

CBS --- President Obama's Approval --- 63%
http://www.nytimes.com/...

[driawpos]

Bill Maher is great!

[ladylove114]

I need someone from Canada to clarify something for me. I do have sense enough to know that you can hear anything and it certainly does not mean it is true so I ask for this clarification. Young lady from Canada I know vaguely,came here (Mississippi) to attend college on a soccer scholarship. She hurt her knee and returned to Canada, I think for spring break. She went to a dr. Canada and was told she needed surgery to repair it. It would be a six week wait. I know kids that have torn something in their knee on Friday night and had surgery the following Monday morning to repair it. Is this typical of non emergencies in Canada or not? Just curious, like I say you can hear anything. Thanks in advance.

[CJWebber]

It depends upon where in the country she was from. If she was from a rural area, and there is a lot of that, the problem is a lack of specialists in some areas which results in a lineup. You have to remember how big Canada is. It is bigger than the U.S. (so please don't ask us if we know John from Toronto). If you live in a city where there are a lot of doctors and specialists then there is no wait.

There are a lot of misconceptions in the U.S. about Canada's healthcare system, mostly running it down. I have lived here my whole life and no one in my family, any relatives or any neighbours have ever gone to the U.S. for healthcare. Why would we? If I want to see a doctor, an appt is made within 3 days; if I don't want to wait 3 days then I'll go to a walk-in clinic and I'll be seen immediately. I choose whatever doctor I want, and if I don't like him/her I get another. I wait longer for hair appts. The system in Canada is simply affordable insurance. That's it.

Do you never have to book for surgery in the U.S.? Are there that many operating rooms that all the doctors virtually have their own whenever they want it? If I really want to wait, I'll make an appt with a dentist, and they are not insured.

[Ohsherri]

Thank-you.
Born and raised in Canada...and still live there most of the time.
Family business...meet new people everyday of my life.
I have still to meet ONE PERSON who has gone to America for Healthcare.
And I live near Toronto...tons of people.
I have never even known a friend of a friend that has.
I know there is "some"...because ONCE in a blue-moon
you will hear about it on the news.
We do have problems...but we are BUILDING on our already-Progress.
Nothing is perfect.
I have family also in Alberta and B.C....still don't know anyone who goes
to America for Healthcare.

I can't believe how the American news runs with the most uncommon
stories and feeds them as GOSPEL.
The Right-radical -Scare Machines are hard at work and they win
their minds.

[ntegrity4me]

Dang, I try to blog where "middle minded" people are. I guess they're not here! Drudge is ..... right. Huffington is left. Any suggestions about where the "middle-minded" people live on the internet?

[ladylove114]

Please tell me when you find it.

[Ohsherri]

Try Cnn or Faux news. :-)

[NotPC]

No, you certainly won't find the "middle" here. I pop in every now and then to see what they're bitching about - it can be amusing, but not a place to engage in serious debate.

[StephenJK]

Not as bad as DailyKos, here. I'd say this is about as middle as it gets.

[ntegrity4me]

A Republican friend told me (me - a girl who registered as Democrat as a teen, and never changed it to INDEPENDENT) that Democrats always want a "hand out". After reading these posts, I'm convinced he's right. FREE Health Care. LOWER Taxes. MORTGAGE bailouts. CAR DEALER bailouts. WALL STREET bailouts. I agree that things would get worse before they got better. However, the Enron chief went to jail. The WorldComm people did, too. My head is spinning. What a mess this country is in! Meanwhile, let's keep the borders "open" and pay for health insurance, welfare, food stamps, cash assistance, housing, etc, for all of those who sneak into this country. Because we are America - the richest country on the planet - we can help any and every body. No one has to work for anything. It's FREEEEE ... weeeeee! Let's make rich people pay for it all! (( LOL )) You people give Democrats a bad name. Shame on you.

[Ohsherri]

I know you must work for C NN.

[ntegrity4me]

Nope. I have a job, and pay for my own health care. I don't want the Government telling me what I HAVE TO have. I want to continue to pay for CHOICE. If you want a handout, don't force it on people who want CHOICE. I have a Doctor that I love! I can get tests whenever she orders them (theGovernment doesn't get to decide if they are tests I really need ... she does!). I'll forgo highlights for my hair, fake nails, and my luxury car to PAY FOR CHOICE. Y'all can have that Government system!

[Ohsherri]

Okay..ADULTS...move beyond the fact that he's criticized Obama.
Bill is trying to tell us something about the Democrat party.

Remember when Bush was in power... and all the networks had their
Military and W@r shows? (ratings ratings ratings)
Cnn even started a "FAITH IN AMERICA" show.
No one loves the Right more than the main stream media.

We have been led to believe that the Democrat agenda is too radical...ie "socailist".
We move at a snails pace because we have to bow to the RIGHT for everything.
Meanwhile the Right can't keep their lips off R0sh's buttocks!!!
When Repubs are in power...they are backed by EVERYTHING.
When Dems are in power...we have to fight tooth and nail and apologize for wanting
to PROGRESS!
BTW-I LOVE OBAMA and Michelle!!!
But Obama can only move as much as America will let him.
And America bows to the Righ-wing -scare-talk.

[ntegrity4me]

Hmmm ... and you must work for MSNBC! LOL

[Ohsherri]

They s0ck too..except for a few.

[average Joe]

Healthcare should be like a right for every citizen and not a affordable commodity...We are the only country not giving free healthcare and hopefully Obama will change it.

Private companies are for profit and not for service...As you have seen all private companies outsource their job and manufacturing to overseas for cost saving. Medical Insurance companies are sending patients to overseas for small surgeries also.

Universal healthcare is the solution. We do not see any old age person worrying about healthcare. Most of the old age people are working in US for healthcare. Once they get good healthcare they will take retirement and youth of this country will also get jobs.

Most of the big corproations have also gone bankrupt because of healthcare. Once Obama fixes healthcare, all companies can compete with foreign companies in same level playing field.

[ntegrity4me]

Oh boy! I've got stories for you about how WONDERFUL universal health care is! People DIE under that system. I don't want it. He can give it to y'all ... I'll continue to pay for my own, thank you! I'll do without getting my hair and nails done ... the bitchin' shoes at Dillards ... on and on ... to pay for MY health insurance. The Government can keep their "solution"! I want choice. I don't want to call 800#s, or go to "clinics" where I don't know the physicians. I want my OWN doc, please.

Why do Canadians come to the US to see physicians if their system is so great?

The only people who LOVE that system, are the people who don't use it ... or the people who were "lucky enough" to get good care! That's few and far between.

The money we pay docs help us with research and technology. Have you seen the MRI and fancy machines in Europe? LOL They are what we had in the 80s. NO THANKS!

[Ohsherri]

1 in 10 000 Canadians come to America for your st00pid healthcare.
You are so d0mb.

[gaja]

Guess what - people are DYING under our system AND they are going BANKRUPT.

Insurance companies dictate to doctors what treatment they can provide!! This has nothing to do with choosing your own doctor. NOONE has said anything about taking away a person's ability to choose their own doctor.

The money we pay doctors goes far beyond research & technology. Our doctors, hospitals, and the biotech industry make a HUGE PROFIT - they have even made a profit during the worst crisis since the great depression. Why? Because they are gouging ordinary citizens. One hospital visit can be $100,000 easily. There is NO INCENTIVE to reduce costs since everything can be passed on to the consumer. If you are happy to pay 300% the cost just so you can delude yourself into thinking we are "superior" to other countries than more power to you! That's just idiocy to me.

[PWM]

People die without health care idiot.

[Ohsherri]

You would be declared a "Radical Leftist" by the media...
and then they would degrade you further by saying you are the equal of a Right-R0sh-n0t!!!!!
(then STILL NO real progress made....and that is how its done folks...)

[ntegrity4me]

I am so dumb? Why? Because I disagree? I'm a Democrat, sweetie. I voted for Obama. I just don't want Single Payer Healthcare. Calling me dumb actually makes you look dumb. But I can debate without calling you that. Grow up.

[ntegrity4me]

Does the Government control car insurance? I can go on and on. There are programs in place for people who CAN'T afford it! What people want is an entitlement. The Government can't get Medicare, Medicaid, VA, or Social Security right! You want them to "meddle" with your health insurance? Are you for real? Let's help the people who NEED it. Let's educate and hold people accountable if they can afford insurance and CHOOSE not to pay for it! The so-called 46 million UNINSURED is a bogus #. It includes illegal immigrants, people who'd rather drive an Escalade than pay for insurance because they believe theGovernnent OWES them something, etc.

Yes there is a problem with costs. NO Government takeover is NOT the solution! Your taxes would increase, and you'd pay for it somehow. Don't be fooled into thinking it'll be FREE.

Obama didn't flip flop. He listed to BOTH sides. Give the man credit for being brilliant enough to listen to BOTH sides. He's not far left, or far right, or being controlled by "Washington". He's becoming more educated on the issue. Shame on you for posting that garbage, and misinforming people.

[maryyooch]

Your post borders on idiottic. I doubt that there are many people who can get insurance that they can afford, just simply don't want to pay for it. Most people who can afford insurance are refused by the insurance companies for something like high blood pressure. They can refuse to insure you for anything they want. A history of heart diseases in your family? Denied.

[PWM]

Why should I pay for a socialized police force or military?

It goes both ways.

[KillgoreTrout43]

Try living without cops and military.

[average Joe]

I have given donation to Obama but am disappointed that he is not campaigning more aggresively for universal healthcare. I am also a big fan of Bill Maher and he is right..Obama should not care what others are thinking...I have donated again to Obama's email for health care reform.

[ntegrity4me]

These posts are hilarious. "Obama hasn't found a cure for cancer like he promised." Are you serious? I guess this man is supposed to accomplish, in four months, what takes most Presidents four years! In addition, it took Clinton THREE YEARS to pull the country out of the deficit he inherited. Give the man a break. Or ... in four years, vote for Sarah Palin. Bill Maher is trying to increase his show's ratings. Sounds to me like he's upset because Obama hasn't been on HIS show. You people are ridiculous. Take up another cause.

[Seattlelite]

Polls today showed President Obama's approval rating went down by 5%. I don't believe in supporting a President just because he's your party leader but what I see happening with Obama un nerves me. I know there is allot of pinned up frustration among democrats and we want change to have happen yesterday but the piling on and whining about him not solving every problem in 5 months HAS GOT TO STOP! Keep piling on democrats and what you have is a weaken president with no capital left.

[ThisIsJustMyObservation]

Thank you

[kylie]

And what polls they are!
President Obama just added some good regulations to curb WallStreet's excesses, so The WallStreet Urinal immediately comes out with a poll(Rupert, you amaze me)with a "poll"(wink, wink) telling us, "the President's popularity numbers are going down".
Hmmm, was the polling done on WallStreet?
Please!