When Bill Maher says “stupid,” he means, “They don’t think like me”

Bill Maher called America a “stupid country” yesterday, and when given a chance to retract it, repeated it. (H/T: Hot Air.)

WOLF BLITZER: Do you think she has a future nationally as a presidential candidate?
BILL MAHER: I don’t know about a presidential candidate, but I would never put anything past this stupid country.

Later in the interview, Blitzer gave Maher the chance to change or retract his words.

BLITZER: So, uh, people are already complaining that you’re calling the United States a stupid country. I’m giving you a chance to clarify.
MAHER: I don’t need to clarify. It is.
BLITZER: Tell me why you think the United States is a stupid country
MAHER: Because Sarah Palin could be president. [laughs] Do I need to clarify any more?

And then he digs the hole a bit deeper:

It’s a big country, that’s the great thing about it. There’s 300 million people here. So, uh, within this large country, there are tens of millions of very bright, intelligent people. You know, the ones who are watching us. Not the ones who are writing the emails. But, you know, in general, um, gosh, uh, you know, this country just gets dumber and dumber by the day, and, uh, I don’t think I have time on your show to list all the reasons.

And yet, he does list the important reasons. And let’s be clear about this: Bill Maher doesn’t think Americans are stupid because they’re stupid. He thinks they’re stupid because they don’t think like him. They voted for George W. Bush, and he didn’t. But when given one last chance to recant, he doesn’t. Maher really does think that overall, America is just full of stupid people. His closer:

“Just because Americans elected a bright guy [Barack Obama] doesn’t mean they’re bright.”

Let’s be honest: Elitism is nothing new. And frankly, elitism from the left is as old as elitism from the right. It just comes off as a lot more hypocritical when the left, who are all for egalitarianism and equality, suddenly revert to type and dismiss the little people as a bunch of less-than-equal, ignorant, stupid yokels who simply don’t know what’s good for them. Not to worry, though—their betters, like Bill Maher, will tell them what they should think.

This sense of elitism came out in a big way during the Clinton impeachment. Many of you may have forgotten this, but I haven’t: The media and political elite were outraged and appalled that even while they tried to force Bill Clinton from office, the American public overall, in poll after poll, said that he should not have been impeached, and should not be removed from office.

Bill Maher is just this year’s version of the same elitists. Americans don’t think like him; therefore, they are stupid. Americans don’t vote like him; therefore, they are stupid. And oh, yeah—they’re not really all that smart in the first place.

Unless, of course, you’re one of the ones who watch CNN, Bill Maher’s show on HBO, vote for the right candidates (those would be the ones he approves of), and hate Sarah Palin, Republicans, and all things conservative.

Guess I’m just one of those stupid Americans. I voted for John McCain.