HBO's Bill Maher on Friday asked an extraordinary question of his guest panel: "Why isn't Barack Obama getting more s--t' for the oil spill in the Gulf?
Almost as surprising, the studio audience applauded after the "Real Time" host said this.
"Okay, so I mentioned in the monologue I'm a little mad this week," Maher began after introducing his guests.
"I'm mad at the oil company who didn't obviously build their rig well enough," he continued. "I'm mad at America in general because we should have gotten off the oil tit starting in the '70s."
Hold on to you seats: "But I'll tell you who I'm really mad at which is Barack Obama...So, why isn't Barack Obama getting more s--t for this" (video follows with transcript and commentary):
BILL MAHER: Okay, so I mentioned in the monologue I'm a little mad this week. I usually try to hide that, but, you know, when the Teabaggers say that they feel like they have no...
CHRIS MATTHEWS, MSNBC: I love the way you say that.
MAHER: What?
ROSS DOUTHAT, NEW YORK TIMES: Just trips off the tongue.
MATTHEWS: The Teabaggers.
MAHER: The Teabag, well, you know they always say they feel like neither Party represents them. That's how I feel this week. So Teabaggers, you're not alone. And the reason why is because yes, I'm mad at the oil company who didn't obviously build their rig well enough. I'm mad at America in general because we should have gotten off the oil tit starting in the '70s. I'm mad at the people who go, "Drill, baby, drill." And by the way, they should turn up on the Gulf Coast and start cleaning up the birds with their "Drill, baby, drill" t-shirts. But I'll tell you who I'm really mad at which is Barack Obama. Couple of weeks ago, the President, our President said, "It turns out the oil rigs today generally don't cause oil spills. They are technologically very advanced." Now if, if I was quoting George Bush, this crowd would be laughing in hysterics.
LAURA TYSON, ECONOMIST AND FORMER CLINTON ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Yes they would.
MAHER: So, why isn't Barack Obama getting more shit for this? I think he should.
(Applause.)
And the audience applauded.
To be sure, many people on the right have been asking this same question for days, albeit without the vulgarity. I asked it myself in an article published Friday.
But for a devout Obama supporter like Maher? And to have his audience applaud?
Exit question: When WILL the Obama-loving media follow Maher and start pointing fingers at the White House for what's happening in the Gulf?
