Californias latest gubernatorial drama has turned into a revealing snapshot of identity politics run amok, with HBO host Bill Maher mocking the states canceled debate and the slate of leading candidates in one sharp, dismissive line.
As reported by Breitbart, Maher used the closing New Rules segment of HBOs Real Time to ridicule the decision to scrap the debate after activists complained that the top six contenders were all white. The field includes Republicans Steve Hilton and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, along with Democrats Tom Steyer, Rep. Eric Swalwell, former Rep. Katie Porter, and San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan.
Maher opened by declaring, New Rule: Woke aint dead. Here in California this week they canceled the governors debate because some people were outraged that the top six candidates were all white, even though this is what the people voted for, and the people are 62% minority. If their opinion was Xavier Becerra is f*cking awesome, wed know. His remarks underscored a core conservative criticism of the left: that outcomes chosen by voters are now treated as illegitimate if they fail to satisfy progressive racial quotas.
He went on to stress that the absence of racial variety does not mean there is no ideological or stylistic range among the candidates, but he did so with characteristic scorn. And, for the record, just because the top six candidates are all white, it doesnt mean theres no diversity. I see all different types of people I dont want.
For many on the right, Mahers comments highlight how Californias political class and media ecosystem increasingly defer to woke outrage rather than respect democratic choice and open debate. The spectacle of a gubernatorial forum being canceled over skin color rather than policy differences will likely fuel further skepticism toward identity politics, even from liberals like Maher who now find themselves echoing long-standing conservative concerns.
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