On Monday, the Drudge Report released a picture of Barack Obama dressed as a Somali elder claiming it had been circulated by "stressed Clinton staffers."
Four days later, on HBO's "Real Time," host Bill Maher strongly implied that the picture had been leaked by conservatives.
Although Obama and his campaign representatives strongly lashed out at Hillary Clinton and her supporters for "shameful offensive fear-mongering," Maher, during his "New Rules" segment Friday, never once mentioned the picture's apparent connection to the former first lady:
And finally, New Rule, to honor the life of William F. Buckley, conservatives have to take the high-road against Barack Obama which includes stop pretending he might be an al Qaeda double-agent simply because his middle name is Hussein. Someone this week released this 2006 photograph of Barack Obama provocatively dressed as Aladdin. The point: to remind voters that Barack Hussein Obama is a weirdo, from someplace weird like Morocco or something. He’s not like us.
[…]
A fundamental trait of today’s right-wing is the willingness to lie, baldly, and repeatedly, and without shame. And it always captures the Democrats off guard. Just ask war criminal John Kerry or Munchausen Syndrome sufferer Al Gore. Are people like Sean Hannity really so dumb that they think Barack Obama is an African spy who’s plotting to be the Lion King? Well, in his case, yes, but…People like Karl Rove know that the more ridiculous the charge you make, the better. Because they’re not aimed at rational people. They’re aimed at that great teeming mass of Americans who wept with joy when they heard “American Gladiators” was coming back. They’re called “undecideds,” or “swing voters,” but I prefer the traditional term, “morons.”
There’s only one problem here, Bill: conservatives were never accused of circulating this picture.
In fact, even in far away Kenya, folks believe this was leaked by the Clinton campaign. Kenyan elders are considering imposing a fine on Clinton – in the form of livestock – for her offensive transgression.
Yet, such facts are unimportant to Maher, because they would intrude on his point.
HBO top brass should be so proud to have this man representing them.
—Noel Sheppard is the Associate Editor of NewsBusters.
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
Did Bill say Aladdin?
March 1, 2008 - 20:47 ET by Mica the MagnificentSounds like Bill suffers from Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy syndrome.
And that crack about Barack 'dressing as Aladdin;' I suppose it's o-k, if you're a liberal, to make fun of Kenyans (who are BLACK!) because of their choice of clothing.
Not everyone wants to dress as a wealthy white man, Bill.
Better herd up some cattle there, Billy. You may be asked to pay for your insult!
Wait until he gets that bill!
March 1, 2008 - 20:59 ET by PamHow many cows does Hillary owe Kenya for releasing that photo?
Noel, I forgot he even had a show...
It doesn't matter, Pam
March 1, 2008 - 21:10 ET by Mica the MagnificentI doesn't matter what Hillary owes. She doesn't pay her bills - and she doesn't tip - just ask any waitress.
How many cows does
March 1, 2008 - 21:12 ET by MidAmericaHow many cows does Hillary owe Kenya for releasing that photo?
I really don't think that picture of obama is that big a deal. Certainly nothing to have a cow over. (groan)
Mid
March 1, 2008 - 21:14 ET by well99You need to beef up that joke.
Sorry.... it was
March 1, 2008 - 21:17 ET by MidAmericaSorry.... it was udder-nonsense.
you gonna
March 1, 2008 - 21:18 ET bymilk this for all you can?
No Poofdas
I see you're trying to
March 1, 2008 - 21:22 ET by MidAmericaI see you're trying to skim this thread and put in your 2%
i demand my
March 1, 2008 - 21:23 ET bywhole 4%
No Poofdas
LOL... You guys are
March 1, 2008 - 21:19 ET by bigtimerLOL...
You guys are really milking this for all it's worth...
can we get a
March 1, 2008 - 21:21 ET bythird man on this horse?
No Poofdas
Mmmmm
March 1, 2008 - 21:20 ET by Mica the MagnificentThis joke went on too far, by my cowculations
i call
March 1, 2008 - 21:22 ET byfowl
No Poofdas
Lets moooove on shall we.
March 1, 2008 - 21:23 ET by bigtimerLets moooove on shall we.
Are you
March 1, 2008 - 21:26 ET by MidAmericaAre you being 'Bossy'? Do you have brown eyes?
lol
March 1, 2008 - 21:23 ET by well99There have been a herd of jokes on the subject.
BS
March 1, 2008 - 21:31 ET by dboEverything that Maher says is full of bull.
Yup
March 1, 2008 - 21:34 ET by well99Bill cowtows to Barack.
Barak
March 1, 2008 - 21:37 ET byObrahma ?
No Poofdas
botg
March 1, 2008 - 21:49 ET by well99Bulls eye!
Maher gives us a lot to
March 1, 2008 - 21:41 ET by MidAmericaMaher gives us a lot to ruminate on.
Hey, Mid
March 1, 2008 - 21:45 ET by Mica the Magnificentcud you explain yourself better?
Even with four stomachs I
March 1, 2008 - 21:49 ET by MidAmericaEven with four stomachs I wouldn't be able to stomach maher.
I think it's pretty obvious
March 1, 2008 - 21:56 ET by dboI think it's pretty obvious that we should put Maher out to pasture.
I think it's pretty obvious
March 1, 2008 - 21:57 ET by dboI think it's pretty obvious that we should put Maher out to pasture.
MA... Maher is the
March 1, 2008 - 21:57 ET by bigtimerMA...
Maher is the perfect definition of tripe....
Probably so. Tripe is
March 1, 2008 - 22:06 ET by MidAmericaProbably so. Tripe is hard to digest.
Before this degenerates into knock-knock jokes...
March 1, 2008 - 22:23 ET by heldmywHow many cows does Hillary owe Kenya for releasing that photo?
The Kenyan Elders want her and two more.
(Why is PMS called PMS? Because "mad cow" was taken.
Ba-dump-bump-tssssh! Thankyew verramuch! Try the veal! We'll be here all week!)
LMAO
March 1, 2008 - 22:25 ET by well99Glad I put the soup down before reading.
Hey Maher...you just wait
March 1, 2008 - 20:49 ET by bigtimerHey Maher...you just wait until the repubs really tear into Obama...you just wait...and wait...and wait...
so true bt
March 1, 2008 - 21:54 ET by candanceObama is going to tan McCain's hide and then put him out to pasture.
Cowabungi
March 1, 2008 - 22:00 ET by well99If that doesnt take the bull by the horn then not sure what will.
you'd think so
March 1, 2008 - 22:08 ET by candanceIf a stupid heifer like me can figure that out, you'd guess that Maher could too.
Bill
March 1, 2008 - 22:21 ET by well99Has a man crush on Barack.I think that is why he has steered toward Baracks.
OK
March 1, 2008 - 23:32 ET by MidAmericaOK Everybody......
Time for a Sing-Along.
Later Update: This one is not to be missed.
Mid
March 1, 2008 - 23:38 ET by well99Both were execellant.You have won the blue ribbon.
Well... The cream
March 1, 2008 - 23:42 ET by MidAmericaWell... The cream rises to the top.
MA... You really have too
March 2, 2008 - 00:01 ET by bigtimerMA...
You really have too much time on your hands....and so do I evidently...those both were so ridiculous, they were funny... I am still laughing.,
Thanks for the late evening enjoyment....
Well it's been pretty
March 2, 2008 - 00:08 ET by MidAmericaWell it's been pretty somber on here for a few weeks. A little fun can't hurt.
For some reason I'm wanting some ice cream and then I'll be ready to bed down. Hope no one tips me over.
MA... Watch out... watch
March 2, 2008 - 00:20 ET by bigtimerMA...
Watch out... watch out... watch out now....we can't forget that Wooly Bully...and the Chipmunks too.
bt, ROFL!
March 1, 2008 - 23:16 ET by R D HelmThey will be playing ice hockey in hell before the republicans, and especially McCain, go after the kevlar messiah in any meaningful way.
John McCain is a liberal. He said so himself.
Bill Mahler
March 1, 2008 - 21:26 ET by well99The man is a expert at lying.He practices it all the time.So we should listen to him. It seem Bill was obsessing on Baracks private parts curious does he own a blue dress?There will probably be alot of intern positions opening up if Barack wins.
People like Karl Rove know
March 1, 2008 - 21:47 ET by drillanwrPeople like Karl Rove know that the more ridiculous the charge you make, the better. Because they’re not aimed at rational people. They’re aimed at that great teeming mass of Americans who wept with joy when they heard “American Gladiators” was coming back. They’re called “undecideds,” or “swing voters,” but I prefer the traditional term, “morons.”
Ah! Yes! The proverbial knuckle-dragging, sibling-marrying, Bible-thumping-to-the-chest, toothless, sixth-grade-educated, beer-bellied, big-haired, pick-up-driving dictum ...
Nice, Bill ... predictable, but nice ... You self-indulgent, self-righteous, stuck-up, powder-snorting, panty-sniffing, butt-kissing, NYTimes-reading, limo-lib.
When you men get home and face an anti-war protestor, look him in the eyes and shake his hand. Then, wink at his girlfriend because she knows she’s dating a pussy… ~ Attributed to General Tommy Franks
Actually...
March 3, 2008 - 10:43 ET by Tom1969caAh, yes. Nothing like invoking Goebells' 'Big Lie' without actually using the words "Nazi", "fascist", or "Goebells". (Because we all know that's who Maher and his ilk mean when he says "people like Karl Rove".)
~~~
I admire FDR for not insisting on getting the approval of France and Germany before going to war.
--Anne Coulter
Maher is so full of
March 1, 2008 - 22:28 ET by rbosqueMaher is so full of himself, you know- crap.
Who can doubt Bill Maher?
March 1, 2008 - 22:38 ET by ammo johnWho can doubt Bill Maher? He's Mr. Know-it-all. And his audience are a bunch of know-nothings who take in his garbage like it's gospel. Oh, sorry. I forgot that he hates anyone who believes in God.
Cow for Kenya
March 1, 2008 - 22:40 ET by ScrapironAs a double cow payment Shrillary made a plane reservation for Michele Hussein Obama. Enough not white meat to feed a tribe for a month.
Old, Retired and glad of it.
Whose audience has the
March 1, 2008 - 22:44 ET by TEWhose audience has the bigger collection of kooks, dupes, freaks, fools and idiots: Maher's, Jon Stewart's or Stephen Colbutt's?
Maher = Liar
March 1, 2008 - 22:56 ET by planetrepublicanWhat a liar. He's such a shrimpy little guy, a little toady.
Bill Maher loves the idea of
March 1, 2008 - 23:35 ET by mostlymoderateBill Maher loves the idea of having a communist or a socialist run this country. The picture of Obama in anything but an American military uniform turns him on in a way heterosexual's will NEVER be able to comprehend.
Maher is a sick, sick, twisted man. People like him add nothing positive to our great nation. The man is a parasite and feeds on the pain of others. His audience consists of under-achievers who find joy in blaming anyone besides themselves for their own problems.
Maher...Behar...spelling is
March 1, 2008 - 23:22 ET by gueinMaher...Behar...spelling is slightly different, yet the beliefs are strkingly the same.
And you NEVER see them
March 2, 2008 - 00:20 ET by drillanwrAnd you NEVER see them in the same place at the same time ... Iiiii'm just sayin' ...
When you men get home and face an anti-war protestor, look him in the eyes and shake his hand. Then, wink at his girlfriend because she knows she’s dating a pussy… ~ Attributed to General Tommy Franks
Maher isn't credible
March 2, 2008 - 08:21 ET by Miket53As usual an actor/comedian speaks and the world reacts. Why do we even care what an actor says? They have no background in politics other than being a donor. Yes..they have their right to an opinion but reporters run to them for commentary and then you hear people saying "well Bill Maher said...". Sean Penn, Angeline Jolie, Rob Reiner, etc. Actors, directors, and producers. Not experienced political analyists. These people are so removed fro reality it isn't funny. They have unlimited wealth and prosperity...they can be totally insulated from the daily trials and tribulations that affect Americans.
Miket53 http://mtaricani.blogspot.com/
Why do we even care what an
March 2, 2008 - 09:26 ET by motherbeltWhy do we even care what an actor says?
Because they're, like, famous, man!
We should call them "the Illiterati"....
People like Karl Rove know
March 2, 2008 - 15:54 ET by Jack BauerSure Maher. That's why on the The O'Reilly Factor last Wednesday Karl Rove spent an entire segment making fun of Obama's name and his dress sense.
Oh hang.. he explicity warned Republicans that it would be bad judgment and ineffective to do any such thing, and that Republicans should attack Obama's postions on the issues, like this...
You see.. it's liberals like MAHER who cannot and will not have a real debate on the issues because they know they will lose...
So they always seek to demonize the nearest Republican who has proved very good at defeating them in the realm of ideas, .. like uh, KARL ROVE...
And... who was it with the ridiculous George Allen/Maccacca race baiting charges... oh yeah, that would be Rom Emanuel and the entire DNC incorporating the MSM.
You'd think that Maher would
March 2, 2008 - 15:55 ET by fitzfongYou'd think that Maher would be too busy wiping Hugh Hefner's a** and trying to pick up his "left-overs" to even have time contorting a story about some spurious conservative "connection" to the Obama picture. I guess Maher's rohypnol doesn't work too well on the left-overs.