Bill Maher has not always been great -- his vaccine nonsense, for example. But tonight, he delivered a "New Rule" for the ages. A pep talk to Democrats that urged them to drive a stake into the myth of "bipartisanship" and pass their agenda when they have the Republicans down. Actually, his imagery was not vampiresque, but nearly over-the-top sexually graphic (inspired by Tiger Woods' texts to one of his girlfriends, of all things). It was hilarious as well as inspiring.
It was the perfect antidote to my experience earlier this evening, listening to "On Point," with the execrable David Gergen -- a man who truly needs to be stuffed and mounted. Gergen was moaning about how all of the other great legislation was bipartisan and how "tragic" it was this wasn't. David, you asshole, when Medicare was passed there actually were Republicans who were not batshit crazy. And David, you idiot, where were you when Medicare D, and two rounds of tax cuts for the rich were shoved through by one party.
Maher took the imagery of the Republicans themselves (they "rammed this through" they "shoved it down our throats") and applauded it, exhorting Democrats to do more shoving and ramming (and not down their throats) -- to pass immigration reform, bank regulation, etc.
The other guests, Rob Thomas, Randi Weingarten and Jonathan Capehart were OK, and even Christopher Hitchens was tolerable because he talked mostly about the church abuse scandal. Jeff Garland was extremely funny - especially one line about weight loss and sex that I won't ruin for someone who hasn't watched the show.
But Maher, throughout the show, especially his "New Rules" was brilliant.