Real Time with Bill Maher Ep. #693: Al Gore, Sen. Adam Schiff, Bret Stephens
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Apr 26, 2025 
Al Gore, the former Vice President and environmental advocate, discusses climate change urgency and the need for bipartisan solutions. Sen. Adam Schiff shares insights on the Democratic Party's challenges and the importance of energizing fresh leaders like Bernie Sanders. Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist Bret Stephens offers a conservative perspective on political polarization and dialogue. The conversation touches on the complexities of governance, the impact of recent U.S. events, and the necessity of honest communication to bridge political divides.
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Al Gore's Smart Government Reform
- Al Gore's Reinventing Government project cut 426,000 positions and saved $126 billion over 7 years.
- The effort used cooperation, targeted cuts, and avoided lawsuits, unlike current chaotic government efficiency approaches.
Threats to Peaceful Power Transfer
- Al Gore predicted Trump wouldn’t leave office peacefully, highlighting unique challenges to peaceful power transfer.
- The era of mutual concession in elections is over, posing threats to democracy's stability.
Warning Signs of Authoritarianism
- Comparing Trump to Hitler is misleading and diminishes unique historical evil.
- However, warning signs of authoritarianism must be recognized to protect democracy.