Bill Maher is a Hypocrite

I'm a Bill Maher fan, but he really turned me off recently with his "New Rules". Halfway through the first video below he rails, "If voting can destroy the Democratic party, then the party isn't very democratic." He says Democrats need to "stop freaking out" and asks, "What's so terrible about a long, drawn-out contest?"

The question is ridiculous. Maybe he's just playing for laughs (although it seems he received few) or maybe he simply loves the play on words, but there is a reality here. The reality is that McCain is coasting, avoiding criticism, and saving money while the Democrats are beating and spending on each other. The reality is that Hillary and Obama continuing to fight tooth and nail for delegates could make a horrific mess of the Florida and Michigan situation and alienate voters. The reality is that the continued fight for the nomination is forcing Dems to spend funds while McCain simply stockpiles his campaign assets.

If your goal is to have a Democrat in the White House who can change direction in Iraq, at home, and in the world, there are plenty of reason to care about a "long, drawn-out contest."

Moreover, Bill is a hypocrite. The second video below is of him begging Ralph Nader not to run in 2004. Now, I know the question in 2004 was different than today--Ralph was entering the general election as a third-party candidate, which could have hurt Kerry's chances (as many believe Gore's chances were hurt by Nader's presence in the prior election). But still, does Maher believe in the democratic process or not? In one year it's okay for a Dem who mathematically cannot win to split the party but not in another?