Paul Begala's Asinine Smear of GOP Too Much Even for Bill Maher

June 27th, 2016 6:56 PM

Just often enough to catch your attention, loose-cannon lefty comic Bill Maher demonstrates why conservatives still remain in his audience.

One of the guests on his HBO show Friday night, veteran Clinton apologist/Democrat consultant Paul Begala made a claim about Republicans so insipid that Maher -- who enjoys nothing more than bashing the GOP -- immediately challenged.

Maher and Begala, along with guests Michael Steele, former Republican National Committee chairman, and Daily Beast political reporter Betsy Woodruff, were discussing Donald Trump's call for a temporary ban on Muslim immigrants to the U.S. --

BEGALA: It's bizarre and stupid to try and ban every Muslim from coming to America.

MAHER: I agree ...

BEGALA: It's insane ...

MAHER: ... but it's not wr-, but his point was also not wrong. I mean, I hear a lot of talk today about xenophobia and is it really phobia if you have something to be afraid of? Fifty-two percent of British Muslims think being gay should be illegal.

BEGALA: What percentage of American Republicans believe that? (tepid laughter from audience). Can we deport them?

STEELE (inexplicably): Not just American Republicans.

MAHER (demonstrating that he's more Republican than Steele): Not many.

BEGALA: Shoot!

MAHER (incredulously): They think it should be illegal?!

BEGALA: Sure.

MAHER: No, I don't, that's bulls**t, Paul, that's bull.

STEELE (belatedly remembering his party affiliation): Paul, stop it.

MAHER (echoing Steele): Stop it. Just stop it.

BEGALA (over crosstalk): ... until a few years ago.

MAHER: There certainly is a hard right-wing in this country, but they have no power.

A question that should have been asked of Begala -- name one. Take your time answering, Paul, you'll need plenty of it.