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Periscope by Niall O'Dowd

Bill Maher slams Obama and draws gasps from crowd

Posted on Thursday, January 21, 2010 at 10:51 PM

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If you want to see how bad things may be for President Obama, consider Bill Maher's comments on the President at the Westbury Music Fair in Long Island last night.

I was present, and there were gasps and hisses when Maher made several cutting comments about Obama to the packed crowd who, no doubt, would have preferred to have Republicans roasted rather than their favorite President.

Maher seemed a little taken aback by the audience reaction, but pointed out that criticism of Obama was warranted in the current climate. He soon won the crowd over.

Maher was not about to let the audience have their comfort zone. He sneered at Obama's giveback to the banks, doing a wicked caricature of Obama handing the billions out to A.I.G. and Goldman Sachs. He was also deeply critical --and hilariously so -- of Obama's failure to press home his agenda like Dick Cheney and George Bush were able to do despite what the electorate thought.

When Bill Maher, the most liberal stand-up comedian in America, is attacking Obama, then the President should be concerned., When he is comparing him unfavorably to Dick Cheney, then he had better be REALLY concerned.

Like any good stand-up man, Maher was edgy and ahead of the crowd. But he clearly has a sense of the Zeitgeist like no other performer right now. What he is articulating is the shattering disappointment on the left that Obama has not delivered for them, and that Wall Street and the banks have made out like bandits while the middle class continues to suffer and health care heads south.

In a strange way, Maher and the Tea Party have much in common. On Saturday night at the same venue, I will be seeing Bill O'Reilly and Glenn Beck. Strange to think they and Maher have much in common in believing that Obama has not measured up to the job so far. Who would have thunk it?

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mensaiq156 | May 02, 2010, 11:15 AM EDT

Maher takes most of us, left or right, out of our comfort zone. While I dislike his positions, I apreciate his style.

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AngelPrecious | May 02, 2010, 04:23 AM EDT

Hmmm, the middle class isn't suffering as much as indicated here. The health care plan that was implemented SHOULD "head south"!!! Clearly, I am not an Obama fan. However, I am even less enamored with Bill Maher. He is a foul-mouthed dullard and his opinion means little to many of good folks of the U.S.!

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angelwoman | Jan 26, 2010, 09:53 AM EST

Watching Obama speak is like watching the crowds reaction to a tennis match - watching th ball go back and forth across the net. When is he going to look straight at the American people?! Isn't he suppose to be talking to us? than why not look like he is looking at us. I've a friend who thinks he doesn't use a teleprompter, even though you can see them when he walks into the room.

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wouldbelass | Jan 24, 2010, 10:17 AM EST

Yes. That is what a 'centrist' president will get.... everyone upset about everything

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nytreader | Jan 23, 2010, 04:51 PM EST

Actually Bill Maher isn't the most liberal comic in America. He may be controversial, but if you have followed him his whole career like a lot of us in the US have, he is actually very critical of the leberals as well as the conservatives. I think he might be the first to say he isn't a liberal.

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Shmrck5S | Jan 23, 2010, 12:52 PM EST

Find me a President in the last 35 years who hasn't used a teleprompter, and I'll listen to that claptrap. Otherwise, find something more substantial to hang your hatred of Obama on.

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bronx1920 | Jan 23, 2010, 12:34 PM EST

Obama, knows what has to be done, but he's not pushing hard enough. The last administration destroyed the country and most people stood and watched it happen. Our representative's a in gove. are weak, so people should protest outside their homes. That will embarrass them and kick them into action. People, come on, just stand up, it's not rocket science.

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lonecracker | Jan 23, 2010, 10:29 AM EST

Hey, redspirit! How would you know Obama is smarter that the last guy who occupied the WH? I haven't seen the first ( elementary thru grad school) of any of his records. And if you think Obama performs and speaks smarter, look and listen again. The former resident of the WH was at the very least a straight talker and he didn't need a teleprompter to say the words good morning and how're you doing?

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catmann | Jan 23, 2010, 08:20 AM EST

Of course the Teleprompter told them to gasp, this crowd can't be Americas Best or Brightest,they are afterall watching Maher and taking political insite from him.

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jennyVT | Jan 23, 2010, 02:52 AM EST

Why does it matter what Maher says?This man is anti....God, Church and religion in any form or fashion. Who cares what he has to say?

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JolyJoly | Jan 23, 2010, 01:02 AM EST

I think getting one's political impetus from comedians like Maher is one of the problems in politics today. It is so superficial, and the problems with the current administration are not even approached with any breadth or depth. As to the upcoming gig, O'Reilley is something of an Obama yes man, but you'll get real facts from Beck if he's given a chance to speak.

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redspirit | Jan 23, 2010, 12:24 AM EST

I really can't understand the dislike of Obama. When he entered the White House there was alot of issues that weren't anticipated. One thing for certain he is a much smarter man than the last president. Give him some time!

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Pat Riley | Jan 22, 2010, 10:03 PM EST

I believe it was George Wallace who said back in 1968 or so that there wasn't a nickle's worth of difference between the GOP and the dems. Other than a bigger national debt what's changed since Bush left office? It's still business as usual. As far as that cretin Maher goes, if you agree with his comments he's correct in his assessment of Obama. If you disagree with him, he a patoot.

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kickstar | Jan 22, 2010, 09:29 PM EST

Maher is 100% spot on and so is 'OldBull' Obama is a Disaster.

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willieboy | Jan 22, 2010, 07:32 PM EST

further evidencs that Maher is a horse's patoot.

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