‘All tribalism’: Maher places partial blame on Democrats for George … – msnNOW
Democrats have to take partial responsibility for the controversial election of Rep. George Santos (R-NY) as he played into their tradition of “identity politics,” according to political commentator Bill Maher.
“Everybody keeps asking, ‘How could a guy like this get elected?’ I’ll tell you how: Because no one cares anymore about substance. It’s all tribalism,” Maher said on his show Real Time during the first episode of 2023.
“The only thing that matters is ‘Is he on our team? Is he doing our shtick?’” he added.
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Maher said the embattled lawmaker knew how to appeal to both sides of the aisle, especially appealing to Democrats’ love of “victimhood.”
But even as his lies caught up with him, the talk show host said Santos learned that people tend to tune out “what doesn’t fit their narrative,” and has largely been able to “get away with it.”
“Of course, we’ve seen liars before…but it was always about tacking from the extreme to the center of your own party,” Maher quipped.
Santos has been under the microscope after his lies caught up to him, including his assertions that he graduated from college, worked for Goldman Sachs and Citigroup, had grandparents who fled Europe to escape the Holocaust, is Jewish, and details regarding his property ownership.
He has also faced allegations of check fraud in Brazil and campaign finance violations and is currently under federal and local investigations for claims he made during his campaign.
© Provided by Washington Examiner Rep.-elect George Santos, R-N.Y., walks in the House chamber as the House meets for the third day to elect a speaker and convene the 118th Congress in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023. Santos has been under harsh criticism for claims he’s made that turned out to be false. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) Andrew Harnik/AP
Many House Republicans, including Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), have kept their support behind Santos thus far, adding that if the violations turn out to be true, there would be a discussion of whether or not he should be removed from office.
Despite growing calls for Santos to resign, the New York Republican has been tapped to serve on two committees in the 118th Congress, including the Small Business Committee and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
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Maher pointed out that Santos was able to use his claims of being gay and a person of color to attract Democrats and his alleged support of former President Donald Trump to appeal to Republicans.
“Everyone saw in George Santos what they wanted to see,” he said.
“Republicans love a winner and Democrats love someone whose life story makes you want to kill yourself,” Maher added.
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Tags: Bill Maher, George Santos, House Democrats, Kevin McCarthy, Scandal
Original Author: Steff Thomas
Original Location: ‘All tribalism’: Maher places partial blame on Democrats for George Santos’ election