S17.E06: Adam Schiff, Bernard-Henri Lévy, Claire McCaskill, Donna Brazile, and Rick Wilson

February 17, 2019

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Expected guests are: Adam Schiff, Bernard-Henri Lévy, Claire McCaskill, Donna Brazile, and Rick Wilson

Mr. R0b0t · February 23, 2019

I like this Never-Trump version of Rick Wilson. Not sure how I'm supposed to take Brazille seriously after her egregious feeding-Hillary-the-debate-questions shenanigans. McCaskill is a tough read after losing her seat and is essentially a conservative in liberals clothing so I find myself mostly side-eying her. The mid-show guest was a train wreck. Anytime you veer off into territory where you need to have Bill step in and articulate homosexual =/= pedofile, your'e in sticky territory. Underwhelming episode right in the middle of a spectacularly interesting new cycle.

GHScorpiosRule · February 23, 2019

“Amazippi.”

Me:😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

That was the thing that had me laughing the hardest tonight

A very solid show, and no batshit crazies.

But.

Again with what the Democrats need to do to win. One would think that this country has never had any Democratic presidents, or any majority in Congress.

I really did wish that Schiff would have named some of the Republicans who are whispering in his ear.

Off to watch Overtime.

PickledTinker · February 23, 2019

Good show, but frustrating for me to watch; off sync almost entire time. Good guests, but not nearly enough time to develop sustainable ideas. I confess, I love Rick Wilson, only partially because he’s a hometown boy. I wanted to hear more from him. This was one of the few times I though the women succeeded in driving home their points while muting out the male voice. Until Mr. Levy entered! Bill had his hands full redirecting him and the conversation!

IMHO, I think it’s time to re-evaluate the format. There just isn’t time to devote to a pre panel guest and a mid panel guest, and also fit in all the comedy bits (which I adore).

ichbin · February 23, 2019

I spent most of my life on the east coast but have been living in the Midwest for some years now. I have come across very few people here who envy those living on the east or west coast. Bill needs to get outside of his performance venues and actually spend some time living among the people in the center of the country and learn just how diverse it is.

b2H · February 23, 2019

The philosopher fellow was difficult to follow because of his very thick accent and some very continental approaches to his philosophy.

Rick Wilson used a very good monicker for Trump at one point that sent the audience howling - can anyone remember what it was? Something about pencil dick.....

wknt3 · February 23, 2019

On 2/22/2019 at 11:42 PM, GHScorpiosRule said:

A very solid show, and no batshit crazies.

But.

Again with what the Democrats need to do to win. One would think that this country has never had any Democratic presidents, or any majority in Congress.

To be fair things have changed a bit. But it's a topic Bill loves because his answer is to do what he wants - not push social issues that he doesn't care about, focus on economic issues in 60's terms, etc. because voters in swing states respect passion on issues like the environment and universal healthcare, but are sheep who can't see past Fox News when it comes to transgender bathrooms.

It was another good panel and the scripted bits were solid. And Bill usually moved on just I started rolling my eyes. Like when he was talking about how there are no public intellectuals in the US (when he books them on his show regularly) or when he started in how Americans are uniquely influenced by anecdotal evidence and don't pay attention to science right before doing basically the same thing when it comes to health (like he always does.)

Edited March 2, 2019 by wknt3

ganesh · February 23, 2019

12 hours ago, GHScorpiosRule said:

Again with what the Democrats need to do to win.

Well "ignore Trump and talk to the American people" isn't going to work. They need to get everyone who can vote to actually vote. They need to get push back on the both sides are just as bad. There are plenty of people who will vote because of policy. There are plenty who will vote for Trump no matter what. Forget about them. Get the rest.

Donna certainly thinks she's something else doesn't she?

Edited February 23, 2019 by ganesh

ganesh · February 23, 2019

7 hours ago, ichbin said:

Bill needs to get outside of his performance venues and actually spend some time living among the people in the center of the country and learn just how diverse it is.

To be fair, Bill plays venues all over the country, so he is in those middle states.

crookedjackson44 · February 23, 2019

I liked the French guy - he didn't give in to Bill's bullshit. And he is right - our failure to intervene in Syria in 2011 created ISIS and the huge immigration problem (as millions fled the civil war) that has fueled right-wing politics in Europe and America.

GoldenGirl90 · February 23, 2019

When Claire McCaskill first made her "I'm not a crazy democrat" comment - if I'm remembering correctly - it didn't go over so well. Tonight, when Bill asked her what exactly is a "crazy" democrat, she jokingly pointed at him but went on to say the ones who are confronting republicans in restaurants and calling for Trump's assassination. Yeah, it's crazy to call for the assassination of a President period BUT I don't remember it being framed that way when she was running for re-election. Anyway...

Rick Wilson was hilarious as usual.

When they were discussing the Jussie Smollett mess, Bill said this, to him, shows that everybody somehow wants to be a victim. Donna pointed out that Smollett's motivation was money, according to police, but he also really did want to be portrayed as a victim. He took advantage of a very divided time in our country and as Bill said, Fox News is loving every minute of it. I hope this means he'll stop inviting the likes of Ann Coulter on, as she said "all race crimes are a hoax" in response to the Jussie mess. Then again, she's said a bunch of other stupid shit and Bill still invited her on so I won't hold my breath.

Edited February 24, 2019 by Alexis2291

ganesh · February 23, 2019

I know what will fix the church's problem. Stop going and stop giving them money. Sue them.

"Let them get married" is just as enabling. Because if a child abuser gets married he won't do it anymore?

Call them out for what they are - criminals.

Oh, they take a long time to reform. Shut up Donna. It's 2019.

Edited February 23, 2019 by ganesh

ganesh · February 23, 2019

NOT EVERY JOKE IN NEW RULES REQUIRES YOUR COMMENT DONNA

ganesh · February 23, 2019

There's actually plenty of cool jobs at national labs and universities that are located in the middle states. Cities are smaller, you can afford a house, and the weather is better.

ganesh · February 23, 2019

I guess based on the time of the show that they missed it, but iirc, a court ruled that the AL IS woman is a citizen and has to be allowed back into the US.

meowmommy · February 23, 2019

12 hours ago, PickledTinker said:

This was one of the few times I though the women succeeded in driving home their points while muting out the male voice.

Probably because it's just about the only time Bill has had a ratio of two women to one man on his panel.

14 hours ago, GHScorpiosRule said:

I really did wish that Schiff would have named some of the Republicans who are whispering in his ear.

That ain't gonna happen. They'd just deny it anyway. I wish Bill hadn't badgered him into saying he'd go on Faux Noise. I get that the message has to be brought to the heathens, but prime time would just be ugly. Shepard Smith or Chris Wallace could do a good interview, though.

2 hours ago, ganesh said:

"Let them get married" is just as enabling. Because if a child abuser gets married he won't do it anymore?

That was a headscratcher. Let them get married is a good idea, because it will vastly widen the available pool, and because it's just the right thing to do, but not because not being married makes you a pedophile.

Bill's explanation of blue vs red demographics was incredibly overly simplistic, although I agree with his point about Spamazon.

Eliot · February 23, 2019

Rick Wilson is my secret Republican boyfriend (well, ex-Republican I guess, for now). His book was brilliant and I was disappointed he didn't really get to talk more during the panel.

The French philosopher was annoying. Platitudes blathered in a sexy French accent are still platitudes, and there was nothing revelatory or non-obvious about anything he was saying. He just took forever to say it.

I will never forgive Donna Brazile for her book that is probably now gracing the remainder bin in every used bookstore across the country. I wish she would show a little embarrassment.

Claire has done nothing but annoy me since she lost her seat, and it seems like she's everywhere I look now. Ugh.

I could listen to Adam Schiff all day. I wish it had just been him and Rick on the panel.

Edited February 23, 2019 by Eliot

ganesh · February 23, 2019

2 hours ago, meowmommy said:

That ain't gonna happen. They'd just deny it anyway.

I think the letter was his best option. Ratting out people specifically is just unprofessional and it's not going to help him in the day to day politics. Here, he actually keeps their cover and even says, 'hey, you're good guys, we need to step up for congress.' And he's got people talking about it. Shrewd move imo.

2 hours ago, meowmommy said:

That was a headscratcher. Let them get married is a good idea, because it will vastly widen the available pool, and because it's just the right thing to do, but not because not being married makes you a pedophile.

It's two separate issues. Also, the former senator said 'let women be priests'. Yeah, sure, I'm all for equality and having the clergy be representative of society at large, but the question is that why are there such a high percentage of pedo priests and why are they sexually assaulting everyone? A story came out that a ton of nuns were assaulted too. I forgot who called for it, but someone proposed that all the bishops in the USA needed to resign and start over.

Iguana · February 23, 2019

Overalll, decent ep. more focus on issues and not many rote talking points. Amazing what it does to my enjoyment of the show when the asshole factor is minimal. Even the French fellow didn’t bother me because at least he had an interesting perspective I haven’t heard before. Adam Schiff can go on Fox but won’t be listened to by the people who need to hear what he’s saying.

Sir RaiderDuck OMS · February 24, 2019

One thing that stuck out at me: John Stennis was the almost-deaf Senator that Nixon asked to vet the Watergate tapes, not James Eastland. Schiff should have checked Wikipedia before telling this anecdote (which actually did happen) on national television.

Donna Brazil suggesting the Democratic Presidential candidates ignore Trump was ridiculous: John Kerry ignored the people swiftboating him in 2004, and it probably cost him the election.

ichbin · February 24, 2019

8 hours ago, ganesh said:

To be fair, Bill plays venues all over the country, so he is in those middle states.

Probably right out again too with minimal interaction, which was my point. He enjoys using the middle people as scapegoats and comic relief, but those people living outside of the east or west coasts are a diverse bunch who he seems to insist be painted with a broad brush.

scrb · February 24, 2019

I believe McCaskill and others have said that pushing the Green New Deal and Medicare for All too much will alienate the Midwest states.

Well they have to get specific Midwest states like WI, MI and PA. And maybe IA instead of WI but they definitely need to win back WI and PA.

Trump is doing relatively better in IA and WI than the rest of the nation.

meowmommy · February 24, 2019

29 minutes ago, scrb said:

Well they have to get specific Midwest states like WI, MI and PA. And maybe IA instead of WI but they definitely need to win back WI and PA.

I lived in PA for many years (graduated HS in eastern PA, college in central PA and nursing school in western PA) and never thought of it as midwestern. It's an odd blend because you have everything from a major typical urban center like Philadelphia to soccer mom country in the burbs and then an immediate dropoff to right wing crazies in the rural areas who think that the caravan wants to invade Altoona. There's no one message that will resonate throughout the state.

1 hour ago, Sir RaiderDuck OMS said:

John Stennis was the almost-deaf Senator that Nixon asked to vet the Watergate tapes, not James Eastland. Schiff should have checked Wikipedia before telling this anecdote (which actually did happen) on national television.

I was pretty sure it was Stennis too, but I'm such a fan of Adam Schiff that I started not to trust my own recollection! It's an odd flub as Eastland and Stennis were at the time the two essentially interchangeable senators from Mississippi. Thanks for confirming.

UYI · February 24, 2019

2 hours ago, meowmommy said:

I lived in PA for many years (graduated HS in eastern PA, college in central PA and nursing school in western PA) and never thought of it as midwestern. It's an odd blend because you have everything from a major typical urban center like Philadelphia to soccer mom country in the burbs and then an immediate dropoff to right wing crazies in the rural areas who think that the caravan wants to invade Altoona. There's no one message that will resonate throughout the state.

I went to college in Western MD (grew up in Southern MD), which is right by Southwestern PA, and I do think that the further west you go in PA, the more Midwestern (or at least Rust Belt) it seems, due to being right next door to Ohio (plus the Wheeling area of WV), but that's the area where the Midwest and the Mid-Atlantic starts to intersect, so it's more of a mishmash of the two, I guess (going back to your original point about how varied PA is in terms of demographics).

Edited February 24, 2019 by UYI

ganesh · February 24, 2019

6 hours ago, ichbin said:

He enjoys using the middle people as scapegoats and comic relief, but those people living outside of the east or west coasts are a diverse bunch who he seems to insist be painted with a broad brush.

That isn't accurate. There's the Bill of this show, and there's the standup that works the circuit. He sells out venues in red states.

iMonrey · February 24, 2019

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Well "ignore Trump and talk to the American people" isn't going to work. They need to get everyone who can vote to actually vote. They need to get push back on the both sides are just as bad. There are plenty of people who will vote because of policy. There are plenty who will vote for Trump no matter what. Forget about them. Get the rest.

Donna certainly thinks she's something else doesn't she?

It's time for Donna Brazile to retire. All she ever does is spout the same old platitudes about "getting out there and talking about the issues." That hasn't gotten Democrats jack. She's go her head stuck in the sand and has no new ideas.

I think ultimately Claire McCaskill is right, Democrats need to focus on those five swing states with laser precision if they want to take back the White House. And that all this talk of communism is going to scare enough voters into either staying home or voting for Trump again.

Eliot · February 24, 2019

4 minutes ago, iMonrey said:

I think ultimately Claire McCaskill is right, Democrats need to focus on those five swing states with laser precision if they want to take back the White House. And that all this talk of communism is going to scare enough voters into either staying home or voting for Trump again.

I don't like Claire, but I tend to agree. I remember her getting ripped to shreds during the last election for having the temerity to point out that Bernie Sanders was a socialist and that the American people weren't going to like that label. Even if everyone agrees with many of his ideas, too many people don't understand the difference between socialism, communism, and fascism--and Islam, for that matter. Not sure a presidential election is the right sort of teaching moment for that. I remember Bernie being on Bill's show in 2015 trying to explain "Democratic Socialism" and even I got lost trying to follow.

angelamh66 · February 24, 2019

Letting priests get married or allowing women to become priests will not solve the church’s problems. Pedophiles are drawn to the priesthood because it gives them access and protection. Until the church stops protecting these criminals, it will continue.

ganesh · February 24, 2019

1 hour ago, iMonrey said:

I think ultimately Claire McCaskill is right, Democrats need to focus on those five swing states with laser precision if they want to take back the White House. And that all this talk of communism is going to scare enough voters into either staying home or voting for Trump again.

Someone needs to come up with some kind of strategy to actually *win*. Taking back the House was more luck than skill in 2018. "Just talking to them" isn't going to do jack.

I'm not even remotely a political analyst and I'm baffled how Brazile isn't locked away somewhere. She is ridiculously out of touch, and if I were Perez I'd be telling every outlet not to put her on.

b2H · February 24, 2019

On 2/23/2019 at 8:04 AM, b2H said:

Rick Wilson used a very good monicker for Trump at one point that sent the audience howling - can anyone remember what it was? Something about pencil dick.....

Asking again, because I can't get to the repeat broadcasts.

ottoDbusdriver · February 24, 2019

1 hour ago, b2H said:

Asking again, because I can't get to the repeat broadcasts.

I believe the phrase you are looking for is "a bankrupt broke-dick idiot".

sistermagpie · February 24, 2019

On 2/23/2019 at 2:41 PM, meowmommy said:

That was a headscratcher. Let them get married is a good idea, because it will vastly widen the available pool, and because it's just the right thing to do, but not because not being married makes you a pedophile.

The celibacy issue created the whole cult of secret sex among priests that makes the church handle a priest having consensual sex with some widow in secret the same way it does a priest abusing children--they're both just something to look the other way about and hide from the public. (Though that doesn't mean they judge all abuse the same--a priest raping a 9 year old girl is "natural curiosity/experimentation" and a priest raping a 9-year-old boy is bad...because it's gay.)

At this point the problem's way beyond a simple solution like "let priests get married" or even "let women be priests" but saying they should get married and let women in isn't totally out of left field either. The whole reason the church gives pedophile priests such amazing access and protection starts with celibacy (which in itself was just a way for the church to get more land for itself). But obviously it's a no-brainer to treat them like criminals.

4 hours ago, iMonrey said:

I think ultimately Claire McCaskill is right, Democrats need to focus on those five swing states with laser precision if they want to take back the White House. And that all this talk of communism is going to scare enough voters into either staying home or voting for Trump again.

I have no idea what they should do but to me McCaskill always sounds like she's saying the Democrats need to run as Republican-lite as usual and be afraid to really stand for anything in case it scares off those people. It just seems like a strange instinct especially right now. Like even on the show she said the Dems needed to talk about how to put your kids through college and somebody pointed out that this is one of the things Dems are taking on really obviously but she said no, they shouldn't do it like that because it scares people. It seems like she was saying no, they need to be more like Trump here they spout slogans about putting kids through college while defending the status quo.

Edited February 24, 2019 by sistermagpie

Mr. R0b0t · February 25, 2019

The Dems will be labeled socialists by the right regardless of the policies they present, so why shouldn't they champion liberal policies? Doing this while pointing out the things Dems have fought for that actually benefit middle America should be the way forward, but clearly McCaskill doesn't think her constituency can handle the truth. Right now, the electoral college feels like a casino where everything is rigged for one side to win, but occasionally if things break the right way you can get a jackpot.

DangerousMinds · February 25, 2019

8 hours ago, iMonrey said:

It's time for Donna Brazile to retire. All she ever does is spout the same old platitudes about "getting out there and talking about the issues." That hasn't gotten Democrats jack. She's go her head stuck in the sand and has no new ideas.

I think ultimately Claire McCaskill is right, Democrats need to focus on those five swing states with laser precision if they want to take back the White House. And that all this talk of communism is going to scare enough voters into either staying home or voting for Trump again.

Who is talking about communism?

February 25, 2019

Less general political discussion, folks. Focus on what was said on the show, please.

Maherjunkie · February 25, 2019

Quote

I will never forgive Donna Brazile for her book that is probably now gracing the remainder bin in every used bookstore across the country. I wish she would show a little embarrassment.

What was so bad about it?

b2H · February 26, 2019

On 2/24/2019 at 4:03 PM, ottoDbusdriver said:

I believe the phrase you are looking for is "a bankrupt broke-dick idiot".

You’re a genius!!!! Thank you!

Lemons · February 28, 2019

On 2/23/2019 at 3:55 AM, ichbin said:

I spent most of my life on the east coast but have been living in the Midwest for some years now. I have come across very few people here who envy those living on the east or west coast. Bill needs to get outside of his performance venues and actually spend some time living among the people in the center of the country and learn just how diverse it is.

I would guess the ones who want to live on the coast have already moved. Both coasts are full of people from the Midwest. And many areas of the Midwest are just not diverse. Maher is one of the few TV comedians who still travels all over the country doing his show.

Edited February 28, 2019 by Lemons
Spelling

ichbin · February 28, 2019

1 hour ago, Lemons said:

On 2/23/2019 at 3:55 AM, ichbin said:

I spent most of my life on the east coast but have been living in the Midwest for some years now. I have come across very few people here who envy those living on the east or west coast. Bill needs to get outside of his performance venues and actually spend some time living among the people in the center of the country and learn just how diverse it is.

Read more

I would guess the ones who want to live on the coast have already moved. Both coasts are full of people from the Midwest. And many areas of the Midwest are just not diverse. Maher is one of the few TV comedians who still travels all over the country doing his show.

1. I was specifically referring to the people living in the Midwest, the ones that Maher was referring to.

2. There is also diversity in thought and culture, not only race.

3. Flying in for a performance in front of an audience of fans who are presumably like-minded and perhaps staying overnight in a hotel is not the same thing as actually getting to know people from all over the middle of the country and discovering what really makes them tick.

Lemons · February 28, 2019

1 hour ago, ichbin said:

1. I was specifically referring to the people living in the Midwest, the ones that Maher was referring to.

2. There is also diversity in thought and culture, not only race.

3. Flying in for a performance in front of an audience of fans who are presumably like-minded and perhaps staying overnight in a hotel is not the same thing as actually getting to know people from all over the middle of the country and discovering what really makes them tick.

He does speak about the people he meets in his touring the country. And of course it's not like he's a tourist wondering around for days meeting a ton of people. But you do get a feel for places talking to the local drivers, hotel employees and guests, etc. But there's no doubt that areas of the country are different from each other. We are all able to choose where we live which is why people tend to live near like minded people.

MadLove · March 2, 2019

No show tonight? (sad face)

Medicine Crow · March 2, 2019

16 hours ago, MadLove said:

No show tonight? (sad face)

I'm just noticing that my DVR didn't record anything last night!! No show?

March 3, 2019

4 hours ago, Medicine Crow said:

I'm just noticing that my DVR didn't record anything last night!! No show?

No new show until March 8th. 😞

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S17.E06: Adam Schiff, Bernard-Henri Lévy, Claire McCaskill, Donna Brazile, and Rick Wilson

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