Bill Maher Compares Mitt Romney To Rappers: 'Straight Outta Salt Lake' (VIDEO)

Mitt Romney's riches and venture capitalist past have already come back to bite him in the presidential race. Late night hosts have made their fair share of rich guy jokes, but we've never heard it put quite they way we did on "Real Time" Friday.

On this week's episode, Bill Maher offered up an interesting analogy: that people like Mitt Romney for the same reasons they like rappers. They like a rich person because they want to be rich themselves, but fail to see the huge wealth inequality chasm that separates them.

Consider this: many rappers flaunt their wealth and power in music videos and repeatedly imply that it's VIPs only, yet listeners feel included despite not having it all. Romney says he wants everyone to be rich, yet says a $374,000 speaking fee is "not much" when the annual U.S. median income is $26,353 a year. Instead of feeling ostracized, his supporters think they're part of the 1% by association.

"No matter how clear Jay-Z makes it that the hot tub is only for the coolest and most beautiful people, somehow when the song ends we think, 'That is us,'" Maher said. "That's how Romney rolls -- straight outta Salt Lake. Get equity or die tryin'."

To drive the point home, Maher took a look at some photos of rich old venture capitalist and popular rappers both flaunting their cold hard cash. Not that we'd say Romney is the second coming of Tupac or anything, but the similarities are pretty uncanny. Watch the full segment above.

Also on HuffPost:

Comments

[whenicyouucme]

04:12 PM on 02/01/2012

So true the sad thing is I only pay for HBO because of Bill Maher.

[lokitheviking]

09:20 PM on 01/23/2012

False Profit ..................... That's it two words. It's what's wrong with Romney and this country.
Just shareholders or all stakeholders ? The choice can be ours.

[mzmelissascott]

11:59 AM on 01/23/2012

As always, Maher hit it directly on the head with his sharp wit. And who can blame some of those republicans who can't stand him? The truth is tough to take when you're in denial. The republican hopefuls in this race are nothing but a joke and thank the heavens for people like Maher who can make us laugh at them, otherwise we may get deeply discouraged.

[mltmama]

10:29 AM on 01/23/2012

This made me LOL for real!

[ubrew12]

04:59 AM on 01/23/2012

I think Maher has made an important connection here. However, I would give the rapper a 'pass' (and suspect, so would Maher) because those urban poets are merely reflecting a reality about their society that is being rubbed in their faces 24/7 - that its all about the bling.

As long as the Romney's delight in their predatory ways, they can hardly expect the rest of society to hang back and be fed upon. That's the 'true' message of today's rappers: you created a predatory society - that makes me your brother.

[lewisclew]

09:21 PM on 01/22/2012

Bill Maher, I want to thank-you for the entertainment you provide. Watching your show is like giving how I feel a voice and allows me to laugh at what other wise might not. The show highlights topics and then it discusses from differnt view points, allowing more than one opion. LOVE IT!

[JOHN SERINO]

07:35 PM on 01/22/2012

The problem with this country is most of the young people get
their news from Maher, and Jon Stewart, so they elected and empty
suit to be President.

[Guardian Weasel]

10:44 AM on 01/23/2012

Bill Maher and Jon Stewart are more honest and informative than Glenn Beck and Sean Hannity.

[WinterM]

11:39 AM on 01/23/2012

Stewart and Colbert aren't exactly paid by suits like Beck and Hannity, therefore they have the ability and right to actually inform people by poking fun at this sort of thing... Keep believing Faux News, and you get your suits, John.

[mzmelissascott]

12:03 PM on 01/23/2012

oh. so THAT's the problem with this country. thanks. I wasn't sure. BTW God called - you forgot to pick up your sense of humor.

[dil123]

07:27 PM on 01/22/2012

Never thought of it that way, but he does have a point. The only thing Mitt is missing is the bangin' b*t(h#s and the pi*ped out car. Other than that, it's exactly the same. Oh wait a minute that would be Newt!!

[Dodgers1]

07:19 PM on 01/22/2012

Bill Maher is wealthy and a member of the 1% club. It's hypocritic­al for anyone who is a member of the 1% club to criticize the 1%. A few said that he was not hypocritcal for critcizing a wealthy Romney when he himself is wealthy According to Dictionary.com, the definitions of hypocritical is:

"hyp·o·crit·i·cal
adjective
1. of the nature of hypocrisy, or pretense of having virtues, beliefs, principles, etc., that one does not actually possess: The parent who has a “do what I say and not what I do” attitude can appear hypocritical to a child".

Someone on a previous post said that Maher was being introspective and not hypocritical. According to dictionary.com, introspective means:
"in·tro·spec·tive
adjective
1. characterized by introspection, the act or process of looking into oneself.

Another post to my previous comment was not addressing the issue, but was limited to name calling. Just because I'm a registered independent, and a moderate conservative, is not a reason for someone to act like a 3rd grader, instead of an adult. It's unfortunate that some progressives can't discuss issues without resorting to name calling.

Lastly, my earlier replies to other comments were censored by the HuffPo. What I said previously is not different than what I now said. If the HuffPo does not want opinions that differ from progressives or the HuffPo, they should state that only progressive comments are welcome.

[OldKatt]

01:55 AM on 01/23/2012

Bill Maher may have money, but he works hard for it. He goes on tour and does his TV show. He produces a product : humor, which is beneficial to those who get a kick out of it. And laughing is good for one's health.

[RTG5]

06:13 PM on 01/24/2012

Is Maher really that rich? He hosts a rather obscure show and does some stand up. I'm sure he makes some good money, but I don't think it's on the level of Romney's 21 Million a year.

[Richard Norgard]

05:55 PM on 01/22/2012

"It’s not a political platform so much as a wealth seminar. This is the same thing that makes guys like Tony Robbins rich. They have a secret, but the secret turns out to be that they’re rich because they’re robbing you." - Bill Maher

His analogy to Tony Robbins is positively brilliant! In this age of phony politics, bought politicians, and cynicism, Bill is a national treasure. The righties hate him because whenever he goes one-on-one with a rightie, he eats their lunch.

[edenooch]

05:04 PM on 01/22/2012

thanks for bringing the funny back to huffpo. the daily show sucks

[chefdsal]

01:15 AM on 02/01/2012

ouch

[wiscogirl761]

02:05 PM on 01/22/2012

It's funny because it's true!

[margaritamayhem]

12:59 PM on 01/22/2012

Great show Bill. Keep pointing out Republican's evil ways.

[Ballu12b]

11:45 AM on 01/22/2012

The uneducated don't realize the power (historically) of political satirists. You nailed it again, Bill. The hypocrites coffin, that is.

[elkabong]

12:14 PM on 01/22/2012

What "traditional american values?" What "religion." The ones that make you hurl insults about a person's looks over and over again? Those "values?"

Why don't you practice some values for a change? Why don't you examine the Log in your own eye, like your religion tells you to? Why don't you love even your enemies as Christ, Jesus commanded?

Physician, heal THYSELF!

[osiris65]

05:15 PM on 01/22/2012

Preach!

[osiris65]

05:18 PM on 01/22/2012

Isn't it amazing how much repub so-called Christians spew so much hateful rhetoric. Man I hope newt wins the nominee. Just to watch him get crushed by Obama. I prefer a landslide over a nail biter any day.

[Richard Norgard]

05:47 PM on 01/22/2012

That's right. Traditional American values like venture capitalist preying on American workers and good 'ole religious values like pretending to be holier than thou while keeping a mistress on the side. Yep, if you're a hypocrite, prepare to be insulted. Thank God for Bill Maher!