For years Bill Maher has been mystified by the vilification of Hillary Clinton. He’s not naive — Maher knows powerful people have enemies. But the level of Hillary hatred out there seems out of proportion with Clinton’s perceived crimes. Maher has been fond of saying, “if you are threatened by Hillary Clinton, you were molested by a real estate lady.” What does he mean? In a rip-roaring wide-ranging article for The Hollywood Reporter, Maher lays bare the Clinton conundrum. “She is just not that threatening.”
Hillary Clinton has been “demonized by the right wing more than anyone,” Maher writes. (Check out her 11-hour Benghazi hearing if you want to see someone successfully combat inept persecution.) Right wing Hillary hatred is one thing, but Maher also notes the “abandonment on the left” that must puzzle Hillary herself — since, as he says, “her good points — her accomplishments, her deep knowledge of policy” are a matter of historical record. Clinton comes across as inauthentic, even if she’s not. (“I don’t think she’s dishonest,” Maher writes.) But “all the enthusiasm that people wanted to have for Hillary Clinton — the first woman president! — they’re having trouble mustering because of the way she campaigns.” He cites that Hillary laugh, which people equate with blackboards/fingernails. (Is there anything sexist in that critique?) Supporting Bernie Sanders, Maher still comes across as a Hillary sympathizer, saying she’s better than Trump. Is that enough?
