For instance, Maher suggested what Ann Coulter really meant with her remark at CPAC about John Edwards was the following: "[It's code word for the Democrats are -- I hope I can say this -- you said faggot -- pussies.”
A tad later, Maher once again used this term to describe the left when he castigated Democrats for pulling out of the scheduled debate in Nevada due to the host station being Fox News. Maher declared emphatically, “They're pussies!”
In order for the context of his remarks to make sense, a partial transcript of this sequence follows for your entertainment pleasure (h/t Hot Air with video available here):
MAHER: You have to think like a right-winger. First of all, it's interesting to note that she made that comment in front of that right-wing convention. She was not booed. There was actually a moment of ooh and then they all burst into applause. It went over like a cross on fire.
They actually liked that comment. And to people, normal people, you know, people who think like human beings, it was just confusing.
It was like why is John Edwards gay?
He's good looking.
OK, is that equivalent with gay?
No. And then she explained it and I kind of thought about it and I see what she's saying, is that, no, she really meant to say -- what she was trying to say, it's code word for the Democrats are -- I hope I can say this -- you said faggot -- pussies.
Can I say that?
KING: That's code word for -- I never read that. That never came through.
MAHER: No. No, but that's what they mean, is that he's a faggot because he thinks and speaks in complete sentences and reads whole books and doesn't just go off to war without thinking about it twice. And he cares about poor people and the environment, you know, poof stuff, Larry.
KING: Do you still like Ann Coulter?
MAHER: I haven't talked to her in so long. I don't know if she still likes me.
KING: Really?
She used to come on your show a lot.
MAHER: A lot. Yes.
KING: Would you have her back?
MAHER: Yes, I'd have -- of course I'd have her back. I mean I like her -- I like what she says less and less. I never agreed with her. But she never was like out there. But this was a joke, in her defense.
KING: Right.
MAHER: I mean she was making a joke.
KING: A bad joke.
MAHER: I don't know. You know, for that crowd, it was apparently the right joke.
KING: (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
MAHER: As a comedian, I know that's the crowd it got a...
KING: The Democrats have pulled out of the Fox debate.
MAHER: Well, and this is why she has a point.
They're pussies, OK?
Do you remember when Bill Clinton went on with Chris Wallace a few months ago?
KING: Yes.
MAHER: And he showed everybody in that Democratic Party how it should be done.
KING: Get mad.
MAHER: He took on Chris Wallace.
These guys were like oh, no, Fox News, un-nnh, no, I'm sorry, we can't do that. We -- we didn't like the joke.
KING: Well, were they mad at a bad joke, right?
MAHER: They were made at a -- who cares what they're mad at? Instead of withdrawing, which says to everybody in the country oh, typical Democrats. They don't call people out, they just walk away. They don't raise the bet.
Go on there. It's just Chris Wallace. If you can't stand up to Chris Wallace, can you stand up to the terrorists, let alone the Republican Party?
KING: So, a mistake, in your opinion?
MAHER: Yes.
KING: OK.
MAHER: Take it to their house. Win an away game.
I couldn’t agree more, Bill.
