Fareed Zakaria GPS Bill Maher on the Democratic Party’s Future
8 snips
Nov 16, 2025 
Bill Maher, the sharp-witted comedian and HBO host, dives into the perceived inefficiencies of the Democratic Party and discusses President Trump’s controversial ties to Jeffrey Epstein. Climate expert Jessica Green talks about the implications of the U.S. absence from COP30 and highlights the global push for renewable energy. Finally, Nicholas Thompson, journalist and author, shares life lessons from his ultra-running journey, emphasizing resilience and discipline that translate into both personal and professional success.
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Competence Trumps Promises
- Fareed Zakaria argues the shutdown outcome reinforced Democrats' image as feckless and incompetent at execution.
- He urges Democrats to prove competence by governing well in places they control before promising more spending.
Process Over Progress Hurts Cities
- Zakaria cites regulation, zoning, and bureaucratic process as key causes of urban dysfunction and unaffordable housing.
- He says process-heavy reforms substitute for tangible progress and drive voters to favor crude efficiency.
Maher’s Centrist Nostalgia
- Bill Maher recounts feeling Democrats became 'feckless' and contrasts that with a desire for 'normal' politics.
- He says Obama-era centrism produced less material to attack and implies parties have changed over time.
