Bill Maher, the host of "Real Time," has recently expressed his support for Rep. Dean Phillips, D-Minn., who has announced his intention to challenge President Biden in the primaries.
"Dean Phillips is the new Mike Johnson. He's a fresh face in Congress that many people haven't heard of," Maher stated during a recent episode of his show. "Phillips hails from Minnesota, he's Jewish, and he's 54 years old. He's a self-made millionaire with a family business in organic vodka. I'm endorsing him for the presidency. What about you?"
However, Jessica Tarlov, a Democratic strategist and co-host of "The Five," expressed reservations about Phillips, citing concerns such as his association with Lincoln Project co-founder Steve Schmidt as a campaign adviser. Maher, however, remained undeterred in his support for Phillips.
"I appreciate Dean Phillips because he's relatively unknown, and that's a positive aspect," Maher declared. "What I know about him is that he's 54, he's a Democrat, and he's already secured half the votes without carrying the baggage of other candidates."
Phillips announced his unlikely presidential bid on Friday, commending Biden's achievements while simultaneously questioning the 80-year-old's chances of winning re-election. The Minnesota representative joins spiritual leader and former 2020 candidate Marianne Williamson as the only Democratic challengers to Biden. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., another 2024 hopeful, recently launched an independent bid for the presidency after previously running as a Democrat. Progressive activist Cornel West is also running as an independent.
Maher, who was once a staunch defender of Biden, has recently voiced doubts about the President's prospects in the 2024 election. During a "Club Random" discussion with Democratic strategist James Carville, Maher expressed his concerns about Biden's chances based on recent polls.
"I believe we share the same sentiments about Biden," Maher said. "He did a remarkable job, but while he may have been the only candidate capable of defeating Trump in 2020, I fear he's now the only one who could lose to him."
Maher praised Biden's handling of various issues, including Afghanistan and Ukraine, and noted that the U.S. economy fared better than many others in the aftermath of the pandemic. However, he expressed concern about Biden's ability to campaign effectively.
"Government is conducted in quiet rooms like the Oval Office, where calm discussions lead to decisions. I believe Biden is still capable of that," Maher said. "However, I don't think he's fit to run for President. He'll struggle in the debates and, I fear, lose the election."
Maher has drawn comparisons between Biden and the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who chose not to resign during the Obama administration and was subsequently replaced by a conservative justice under Trump. Maher has even referred to the President as "Ruth Bader Biden" and sells merchandise bearing the slogan, "Time to go, Joe!"
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