Maher: Way Republicans Talk About Reagan 'Almost Gay'

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Not that there's anything wrong with that . . .

Actually, Bill Maher didn't add that Seinfeldesque qualifier when describing Republican affection for Ronald Reagan. Maher was a guest on this afternoon's "Hardball." In the course of taking a cheap shot at Fred Thompson, this Cornell alum [what is it about my alma mater, which also churned out Keith Olbermann?] had this to say:

BILL MAHER: It amuses me so much that the Republicans now are talking about the great charisma of Fred Thompson, basset-hound faced Fred Thompson. The Republican party has this campy fixation with Ronald Reagan. It is almost gay about the way they are talking about him and obsessing about him.

Let's play WIARSHI. What if a Republican had said that Dem fixation about a given Dem icon was "almost gay"? Cue the shrieks from the predictable quarters about homophobia.

Aside: Dem presidential contenders bolted from a Fox News-sponsored debate and the MSM didn't make a peep. The Dems got not-Dem unfriendly Brian Williams for their moderator. And whom do the Republicans get to moderate their first national debate? Jimmy Carter's former speechwriter.

Aside Deux: If I were Fred Thompson, I'd take Maher's snide shot as a compliment, reflective of Maher's fear of a Thompson candidacy

Contact Mark at mark@gunhill.net

Update: Noel Sheppard points out that this isn't the first time Maher has said this.

Update: The video is below for your viewing pleasure