Liberal comedian Bill Maher expressed admiration for GOP candidate Vivek Ramaswamy during a one-hour conversation on Sunday's episode of his "Club Random" podcast.
"It's funny, you're such a good talker and you're such a likable guy. I think you really could go far," Maher said to Ramaswamy.
"I have to admit, you're one of the rare individuals I find both captivating and concerning," Maher laughed.
"Thank you, thank you Bill," Ramaswamy responded with a smile. "That is a compliment."
"No, I mean it," Maher said. "Look, you're attractive-looking. You're young. First of all, here's a big advantage you have. Biden and Trump, people hate this matchup, and they hate that these two geriatrics. You're, like, the most not that."
After the young contender noted that both President Biden and former President Trump are "over twice" his age, Maher humorously remarked, "You've got color in your face. It's not either orange or ghostly."
"You have a great amount of energy at 38. You're super smart, but I do see something that alarms me, truly," Maher observed. "You don't have the wisdom about certain issues."
Ramaswamy made a case that he is the best choice to unite the country as president. Responding to that, the HBO anchor provided some "campaign advice," suggesting he should "soften" his support for Trump.
"You're such a personable guy. You're so smart and the energy is amazing, but unless you soften on Trump, at least half the country that knows that he's an obnoxious criminal, they're never going to accept you as the guy who can unite us. I can't accept you as that," Maher advised.
"See, take like a Chris Christie figure who's in this. He's in a different place," Ramaswamy countered. "I'm not motivated by vengeance and grievance."
Not letting up, Maher emphasized, stating that the association with Trump was an "albatross around your neck."
"You got to decouple from Donald Trump. That's the path," Maher told Ramaswamy.
In spite of the disagreements that peppered their conversation, Maher conveyed to Ramaswamy, "I like you."
"You are going to go a lot further. You're not at your floor," Maher asserted. "You're going to appeal to young men, and young men tend right, right? I think that's the hardest people to get in the voting booth. They see a guy who looks like you… you dress sharp. You look like you could be at a club… they're gonna see this guy who's young and he's fresh and, of course, they don't know anything, the kids. Like, if you say get rid of the IRS, they're like, 'Sure, I'm going to pay taxes one day. That's going to suck. Let's get rid of them.' Just stuff that like- you're like a good version of Andrew Tate. They're just going to like you and that I think you could excite a group of people that we haven't seen."
Hoping to draw the younger generation into politics, Ramaswamy stated, "We want to bring young people along, to care about this country. I want to make patriotism cool again for young people. I want to make patriotism the concept."
"I think you can," Maher responded. "I hope this isn't too personal, but I mean it in the best possible way. I think the fact that you are who you are, again, if we could just get rid a little of the Trump stuff and that you are a person of color is an advantage. I think it is the right moment. I think it's happening in the right party, a party that is very, sort of, you know, they know that in the past, in the recent past, including sometimes the present, they are racist and they have been. I mean, Reagan started his campaign in Philadelphia, Mississippi, which was undeniable signal that he was okay with [racism]."
He continued, "But they're better than they were and the fact that they like you, that they like you, and I think they're going to like you a lot more. I mean, they're just getting to know you."
Ramaswamy, starting his political journey with almost no public recognition, has made significant strides since. Recent data from RealClearPolitics places him third, just behind Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
Ramaswamy is expected to be among the notable presidential contenders at the initial Republican debate. This event is set to air live on Aug. 23 at 9 p.m. ET on Fox News Channel.
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