2016 Postmortem
Related: About this forumNo Fan Of Hillary, Bill Maher Says He Could Vote GOP In 2016
Bill Maher is apparently one of the many who failed to notice Rand Paul's recent statement on ISIS.
ByTOM KLUDT
PublishedSEPTEMBER 10, 2014,
Bill Maher made a hefty donation to bolster President Obama's re-election bid in 2012, but the liberal comedian says he's open to going the other way the next time around. And there's one Republican in particular who intrigues him.
Rand Paul is an interesting candidate to me. Rand Paul could possibly get my vote, Maher told The Hill.
Maher has never hidden his affinity for the Paul clan. He told The Hill that he admired the Kentucky senator's father, former Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX), for having "the guts to say we should end the American empire, pull the troops home, stop getting involved in every foreign entanglement."
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/bill-maher-rand-paul-2016
A funny thing happened over the weekend: While President Obama took heat for saying he didn't have a strategy to deal with the Islamic State (also known as ISIS and isil) in Syria, Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) delivered a pretty remarkable statement.
"If I were president, I would call a joint session of Congress," Paul told the AP. "I would lay out the reasoning of why ISIS is a threat to our national security and seek congressional authorization to destroy ISIS militarily."
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2014/09/03/rand-paul-just-said-something-very-important-and-almost-nobody-noticed/
Sopkoviak
(357 posts)Except he's never been funny.
Erich Bloodaxe BSN
(14,733 posts)Although it might have actually been the script writers making him so.
Check out 'Cannibal Women in the Avocado Jungle of Death', and his performance as a clutzy, chauvanistic Indiana Jones knock-off.
MoonchildCA
(1,301 posts)My opinion of Bill Maher just dropped.
I hope he's just saying that for shock value. I'm no fan of Hillary either, but she tops all republicans, and fake libertarians...
underpants
(182,585 posts)He said that he called himself a libertarian twice several years ago. He said that Rand's version is fake.
frazzled
(18,402 posts)The mysogynist libertarian Maher might vote for Rand Paul. Color me completely unsurprised.
1StrongBlackMan
(31,849 posts)That jumped out at me too ... Why does the media refer to Maher as a "liberal"?
SmittynMo
(3,544 posts)Paul makes one intelligent comment and Maher jumps ship? Really? (and yes, i saw the writeup yesterday)
There are only three reasons this can happen?
1). Maher just fooled millions of people. He's really supported the GOP all along, and has been lying all these years. If so, this has to go down in history as one of the biggest lies ever. That being said, it would make sense because the GOP has the biggest liars known to mankind.
2). He's getting old and senile and had forgotten what he has stood for all these years.
3). His ratings must be down and he has to do something to "Shake it up".
Then again, he's no dummy. He did use the word "possibly", with no committal to anyone.
And he is a comedian.
It's Bill Maher.
Proud Liberal Dem
(24,391 posts)He wrote an excellent post 9/11 analysis of our "war on terror" ("When You Ride Alone, You Ride With Bin Laden" and he, like Stewart, occasionally skewers politicians on both sides. Doubtful about #1. #2 or #3 are distinct possibilities. Don't really see him voting for RP outside of an terrible misunderstanding/lack of knowledge about him but there are a lot of people even here that might be willing to vote for him because of one or two public policy positions. At the end of the day, it's probably just Bill being Bill.
hedgehog
(36,286 posts)Apparently, Maher's litmus test is foreign entanglements.
Generic Brad
(14,272 posts)Rand Paul has verbally supported that on occasion. The freedom to smoke pot without fear of repercussion is apparently high on Bill Maher's list. More, I would think, than a foreign policy stance.
GeorgeGist
(25,311 posts)This is one of those times.
pablo_marmol
(2,375 posts)But are these his sincere sentiments, or is this stirring the pot for publicity?
Either way he deserves a pie in the face.
Jamaal510
(10,893 posts)be able to consider voting for a Paul (over just one or two issues he thinks they're in agreement on) and not have to worry about the possible elimination of safety net and government programs, and having businesses follow less regulations.
aikoaiko
(34,161 posts)whistler162
(11,155 posts)for Hillary then she has lost all hope!
Jakes Progress
(11,122 posts)tblue37
(65,212 posts)kicked by a woman.
flpoljunkie
(26,184 posts)He said it was because of Hillary's better stance on the environment. Nothing about formerly isolationist Paul now wanting to become involved in 'foreign entanglements.'
jenmito
(37,326 posts)him. I heard it with my own ears.
flpoljunkie
(26,184 posts)The Rand Paul vs. Hillary Clinton part begins at 8:19. Maher regarding Paul's comment, "Why does the president talk about climate change when we have this terrorist group?" Maher said it was a terrible reordering of priorities. Maher said he's more concerned about melting 'ice' than ISIS. I agree with Maher.
Maher also feels Hillary shares his concern about the perils of global warming-- although significantly, she has not said whether she would approve the Keystone XL pipeline.
jenmito
(37,326 posts)when Chris said Rand Paul is anti-war, isolationist, Maher said just what you said, and then he also said Rand lately sounds more like CHENEY.
ellie
(6,928 posts)anyone he damn well pleases. It won't affect him much.
DFW
(54,268 posts)I'm not worried or bothered.
Come election time in 2016, he'll have some barbs for both candidates whoever they are.
If one of them was an eye doctor four years ago, and one was Secretary of State four
years ago, which one do you think Maher will end up supporting for president, even if he
wishes neither had been the nominee?
If Rand Paul is the Republican nominee (which I seriously doubt), I promise you he will not
enjoy being on the receiving end of Maher's comments during the campaign.
Warren DeMontague
(80,708 posts)The minute he sees whoever the GOP nom is inevitably kissing the butt of the religious right, he will support the Democrat.
mgcgulfcoast
(1,127 posts)we need another choice.
craigmatic
(4,510 posts)local dems in Iowa. So far she's only helped people in NY.
Beacool
(30,247 posts)Rand Paul? What an idiot.........
onecaliberal
(32,772 posts)Pig thinks. Most of what he says is full of it. He's a millionaire and only concerned about the things the rest of the 1% care about.
Atman
(31,464 posts)Hell, there are very few people whose politics I always like. I even disagree with my wife occasionally!
tblue37
(65,212 posts)fooled into voting Republican.
Paladin
(28,243 posts)As long as he doesn't bring Coulter back on his show, I guess I'll keep on watching.
SmittynMo
(3,544 posts)Clearly not his best performance.
kimbutgar
(21,040 posts)By running on his Dad's legacy. Rand Paul would go on maner thinking it will be a friendly interview then maher corners him.
ismnotwasm
(41,956 posts)Ick