“Real Time” host Bill Maher called on Democrats to hold an open convention following President Biden's debate performance, saying Monday that the idea could reinvigorate enthusiasm among voters and propel the party to victory in November.
In a guest essay for The New York Times, Maher said he and others can no longer “ignore the obvious” about Biden’s age.
“As Joe Biden himself would say, 'Here's the deal': What happened at last week's debate wasn't a tragedy, it was a blessing in disguise,” Maher wrote.
Maher suggested that the addition of a new candidate fits into one of the defining characteristics of 21st-century American culture: People like “new.” Maher backed up his claim by suggesting that former President Obama’s youth helped propel him to victory. Voters, he noted, did not have an “endless track record to choose from.”
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Bill Maher said the Trump-Biden debate shows the need for new candidates. (Screenshot/HBO – Getty Images)
“Let's go a little further. The Democrats could not, with all of George Soros' money, buy the enthusiasm, engagement and interest they would get from an open convention, and in Chicago no less, famous for the drama of Democratic conventions,” he continued.
Suddenly, instead of rehashing old talking points about both candidates, Maher said Democrats could move on from the debate, which he compared to “the worst episode of 'The Golden Bachelor' of all time.”
Maher said Democrats could do right by voters by running a contest that would boost enthusiasm levels and give the American people new choices.
“My pick would be Gavin Newsom. Watching him defend Trump in the pre-debate interviews and Biden after the debate reminded me that this guy is good at this,” the liberal comedian wrote.
“Yes, he has too much 'Californian baggage,' some of which I don't like, but the contrast between how he prosecuted the case against Trump and how Biden did couldn't be clearer,” he continued.
Maher admitted that while he likes Biden and thanked him for his service to the country, “it is now” time for him to step aside after appearing “flat” compared to former President Trump.
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President Biden at last week's presidential debate. (Kyle Mazza/Anadolu via Getty Images)
“In his 'The World's a Stage' speech from 'As You Like It,' Shakespeare noted that in old age, in many ways we revert to childhood, but I think we've treated Joe Biden like a baby long enough. After all, none of this can happen until he says he's stepping aside. At some point, not doing so becomes an act of supreme selfishness,” she wrote.
Maher made similar comments on Friday in reacting to the debate.
After reiterating his months-long call to replace Biden on the Democratic ticket, he stressed that it is now “absolutely obvious” and the “only way” for Democrats to win the election.
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“He's going to lose. I said that nine months ago. I'm going to say it again tonight. And now it seems so obvious,” Maher said.
The comedian then played the infamous debate clip where Biden said his administration “finally beat Medicare.”
“It reminded me of when Mike Tyson would knock out opponents in 90 seconds. That was like two minutes into the debate and I was like, 'Oh, this election is over. ' It was like a knockout punch,” Maher said.
The Biden campaign did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.
