In an intense discussion on Friday's edition of “Real Time,” host Bill Maher and former MSNBC star Chris Matthews didn't hold back their frustrations with the Democratic Party's current trajectory. Their primary gripe? Their belief that California Gov. Gavin Newsom should but won't replace Joe Biden.
Maher then likened steadfast Biden supporters to “Mrs. Goebbels in the bunker.” The reference alluding to Nazi propaganda minister Joseph Goebbels' wife's notorious decision to follow Adolf Hitler to his pathetic end in the Führerbunker. The extreme comparison underscored Maher's astonishment that Democrats are blindly sticking with Biden, even as concerns about his leadership grow.
Matthews echoed Maher's sentiments but added another layer of frustration. He argued that even if Biden were to step down, the Democratic Party would almost certainly default to Vice President Kamala Harris, bypassing the more electable Newsom. “[Newsom]'ll say, ‘you're right, you are next,'” Matthews predicted, suggesting that the more polished governor would defer to Harris despite his stronger appeal. (RELATED: 5 Democrats Who Could Replace Biden If Party Goes Nuclear)
From beginning to end, the conversation was a scathing critique of the Democratic Party's leadership decisions.
Mediaite's Caleb Howe continues:
On the latest edition of HBO's Real Time With Bill Maher the host was joined by former Democratic presidential candidate turned Trump supporter Tulsi Gabbard and former MSNBC host and Democratic commentator Chris Matthews to cover the election and the CNN debate between Biden and Trump.
Maher went right to the debate with his panel guests, and after some opening discussion about the president's poorly-rated performance, and mentioning the New York Times saying he should drop out, Maher got agreement from Matthews that another candidate could galvanize the Democratic party ahead of the election.
Maher also said the 33% who claimed in a post-debate flash poll that Biden won are going to “regret” their view.
“I mean, that is Mrs. Goebbels in the bunker number,” said Maher. “You see it on the right. They used to call them Birchers, birthers, tea party, whatever. Imagination, whatever. They never move. And now I feel like that's a third of the Democrats who, like, they're going to stick with this guy and they are going to regret it.”
“He is going to lose,” Maher continued. “I said it nine months ago. I'm saying it again tonight, and now it seems like it's so apparent.”
“In the real world, outside of the Biden world, it's clear to me that another candidate like Newsom, the governor of California, could have the dynamic to move from June right now to November and build up support to match Trump's and maybe overtake him. He could change the whole situation,” Matthews replied. (RELATED: Trump Leads Biden In Historic New Jersey Poll, Sending Democrats Reeling)
“Absolutely,” Maher concurred.
“The problem is, and this is the Democratic Party and the way it is. It's a party of center left and left. If he does that, Kamala Harris people will go, wait a minute, I'm next,” Matthews said, highlighting the Democrats' reliance on seniority. “And he'll say, you're right, you are next. Because that's what he's saying right now. And that's the problem.”
“But here's the great thing about Newsom as the candidate, she can't be his vice president,” Maher said, missing the point.
“No she's next for president,” the former MSNBC host explained.
“You can't be – oh,” Maher started to respond, before catching himself.
“That's the problem,” Matthews reiterated.
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