Maher Savages Reagan: ‘The Original Teabagger,’ ‘Pitchman For Batsh*t’ Would Do Well In Modern GOP

[Tx4obama]

VIDEO here: http://www.mediaite.com/tv/bill-maher-savages-reagan-the-original-teabagger-pitchman-for-batsht-would-do-well-in-modern-gop/

Bill Maher differed with a consensus found on both sides of the aisle that Ronald Reagan would not be welcomed in the modern Republican party, saying that actually, Reagan would be quite welcome in the 21st century GOP because he was the forebear of a lot of the tea party philosophy. Maher called Reagan the “original pitchman for batshit,” and proceeded to tear apart the idea that Reagan was a moderate who liberals like President Obama could publicly admire.
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[BlueStreak]

1. Definitely agree.

It is true that 1980s Bonzo wouldn't make it in today's GOP.

But the guy was just an actor. He was hired help. Hired to play a part. In 2013, Bonzo would be playing a different role. It is absurd to suggest an actor wouldn't be interested in a new script. Of course he would.

[shanen]

12. You forgot the B-grade rating as an actor

However, you mostly captured my sentiments about it. I still want to know who was really calling the shots.

One more point I would add. I think that Reagan was mostly a reaction to Nixon. They didn't want someone smart enough to actually be held responsible for the bad shite, so Reagan, Quayle, and Dubya were the first experiments in fake presidencies (though Quayle never became a credible presidential candidate, thank gawd). Unfortunately, the neo-GOP lunatics have learned that it works, and they also count Poppy Bush, Dole, and even the lost and already unlamented Romney as more evidence AGAINST competency in their ranks.

[Purveyor]

2. I liked Reagan just the same. Bill Maher...not so much. eom

[ForgoTheConsequence]

6. What did you like about him?

The union busting? selling arms to terrorists? supporting right wing death squads? setting the foundation for the current destruction of the middle class? I'm curious.

[Boomerproud]

7. Please explain.

There wasn't one thing Maher said that wasn't true. I wish Obama would watch this and admit it.

[Arctic Dave]

3. He hit the nail on the head.

Reagan WAS the change in trajectory that started the downward spiral of this country and any other country that implemented the same idiotic economic policies of Milton Friedman.

[Half-Century Man]

4. Reagan was a rethug for years

He began to crap on the majority of his constituents as soon as he accepted public office. While the President of the Screen actors guild he also was a secret FBI informant on communists in Hollywood.

[Tx4obama]

5. LOL!!!! Spoiler alert...

"Last year they tried to elect his haircut"

"They want him on a stamp so they can lick his backside"

[Douglas Carpenter]

8. Reagan once he aged may had become more presentable as a cuddly old grandpa image than the current

brand of Tea Party crazies - but in terms of demonizing the poor, making greed into a virtue and making anti-science and anti-intellectualism into the knew "being sensible" - Reagan to a large extent made the main Tea Party themes the mainstream of American political culture.

[freshwest]

11. +1,000! And with the lapdog media. What incredible damage.

[BeyondGeography]

9. Spot on...the nonexistent welfare queen with the $150K tax-free income

He made shit up and poisoned the country. Ruck Feagan.

[7wo7rees]

10. Best rant about Reagan Bill's ever done.