Overtime – Episode #676: Van Jones, Gov. Jared Polis

Summary

Real Time with Bill Maher: Overtime – Episode #676 Featuring Van Jones and Governor Jared Polis

Release Date: October 29, 2024

In Episode #676 of HBO’s Real Time with Bill Maher, host Bill Maher engages in a spirited discussion with special guests Van Jones, CNN Host, and Colorado Governor Jared Polis. The episode delves into pressing political and social issues, exploring historical alliances, contemporary political strategies, celebrity influence on criminal justice, and the evolving landscape of American democracy. Below is a detailed summary capturing the essence of the conversations, notable insights, and key takeaways.

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1. Rebuilding the Black-Jewish Alliance

Timestamp: [01:07] – [03:56]

The episode kicks off with a profound discussion on the historical and current dynamics between the African American and Jewish communities within the American left. The CNN Host poses a critical question to Van Jones and Governor Polis regarding the existing fractures between Jews and blacks on the political left and the potential pathways to restoring this essential alliance.

Van Jones provides a historical perspective, tracing back to the early 20th century:

Van Jones [01:34]: "In 1909, blacks and Jews had their backs against the wall. We had actual apartheid here. It was so bad that what we were doing in the US South inspired Hitler. It inspired the Afrikaners in South Africa. What we were doing here, blacks and Jews, backs against the wall, created an organization together, a Black Jewish Alliance. It was called the NAACP. Next year, they created an organization together called what we now call the Urban League."

He emphasizes the collaborative efforts that shaped American democracy, stating:

Van Jones [02:39]: "There is a deliberate effort on the part of Iran and Russia and China to drive a wedge and to make sure that every African American under the age of 30, they're getting a lot of help from people who want to divide the world into colonizers or colonized and the oppressed and the oppressors."

Jones underscores the importance of unity against both domestic and international divisive forces, advocating for solidarity on issues like anti-Semitism and hate crimes.

2. Kamala Harris: Political Strategy and Public Image

Timestamp: [04:02] – [07:57]

The conversation shifts to the strategic decisions in political campaigning, particularly focusing on Kamala Harris’s absence from Joe Rogan’s podcast, which the panelists discuss as a missed opportunity. The CNN Host critiques Harris’s lack of presence, to which Kamala Harris responds by highlighting her proactive engagement with grassroots movements:

Kamala Harris [07:57]: "For those of us who love Taylor Swift, and I'm the big Swiftie, that is some of the fun that Kamala Harris is bringing into politics. So I did like a Swifties for Kamala kickoff in Nevada, where I was just campaigning..."

She emphasizes the blend of joy and strategic outreach in her campaigns, aiming to enhance relatability and support among diverse voter bases.

3. Trump's Publicity Stunt as a Fry Cook

Timestamp: [04:33] – [07:02]

The panel discusses former President Donald Trump’s surprising stint as a fry cook at McDonald's, analyzing its impact as a publicity maneuver. Van Jones lauds the move as a clever publicity stunt:

Van Jones [05:17]: "I think it's brilliant. When you have somebody who is a world-famous superstar, who's a billionaire, et cetera, and they do something you don't expect, it's brilliant."

He suggests that such actions garner widespread media attention and engage voters beyond traditional political narratives, advocating for the Democratic Party to adopt more dynamic and entertaining approaches to resonate with the public.

4. Criminal Justice Reform and Celebrity Advocacy

Timestamp: [07:02] – [09:17]

The discussion transitions to the potential parole of the Menendez brothers, examining it through the lens of criminal justice reform. Van Jones highlights the influential role of celebrities like Kim Kardashian in advocating for reform:

Van Jones [09:17]: "Kim Kardashian has become one of the most effective criminal justice advocates in the country, surprising a lot of people. We need more people who have that kind of power taking on some tougher causes."

He commends Kardashian for leveraging her platform to address serious issues, contrasting it with the often superficial causes celebrities typically endorse.

5. Reproductive Rights and Voter Mobilization

Timestamp: [07:39] – [11:17]

The panel deliberates on the impact of reproductive rights issues on voter turnout, drawing parallels to the 2022 midterms where women's votes significantly influenced the protection of reproductive rights. The CNN Host introduces data suggesting that restrictive abortion laws did not reduce abortions as anticipated, due to factors like telemedicine and mail-order pills.

Van Jones counters by emphasizing the enduring and deeply personal nature of reproductive rights:

Van Jones [10:38]: "You can't get around when you have a medical complication. And when you see these stories of women bleeding, bleeding out in parking lots, those stories ripple out bigger than just the numbers."

Kamala Harris broadens the discussion to encompass comprehensive support for families, linking reproductive choice to broader social support systems:

Kamala Harris [11:14]: "When you talk about choice and the right of people over their own reproductive health, you do have to talk about how you're going to help make sure that people can raise their kids in a loving environment. Free preschool and kindergarten tax credits for families that can't afford it..."

She advocates for a holistic approach to reproductive rights, integrating economic and social support to empower individuals.

6. Nepotism in Sports and the LeBron-Bronny Duo

Timestamp: [10:15] – [14:18]

A lighter yet poignant segment addresses concerns about nepotism in sports, sparked by LeBron James and his son Bronny making NBA history as the first father-son duo to play together. The CNN Host criticizes this trend as undermining meritocracy:

CNN Host [11:20]: "Sports used to be just merit. Now a lot, even the models, a lot of them are Nepo babies. ... This is one, you know, the Lakers, they're a great team, but they did this more about Kobe's last year."

Kamala Harris responds by highlighting that while talent is paramount, the cultural phenomenon surrounding such partnerships can drive fan engagement:

Kamala Harris [12:34]: "Look, if Shohei Ohtani has kids, somebody's going to draft him at age 2 because, I mean, that guy can play."

The discussion underscores the tension between familial legacy and individual merit in professional sports.

7. Historical Insights: Columbus's Ancestry

Timestamp: [12:43] – [14:18]

The conversation takes an unexpected turn towards historical discourse, debating rumors about Christopher Columbus’s Jewish ancestry. Kamala Harris shares insights and personal reflections:

Kamala Harris [13:31]: "When I was growing up, Columbus was a hero, an explorer, discovered new. Of course, he was Christian and Italian. The minute he became a colonizer, he became Jewish. I mean, seriously, that's how it feels."

The CNN Host adds historical context, noting:

CNN Host [13:57]: "1492 was the same year the Jews were expelled from Spain. ... it's pretty sure that he probably was Jewish."

This segment highlights the complexities of historical narratives and their contemporary interpretations.

8. Electoral College vs. Popular Vote Debate

Timestamp: [15:02] – [15:26]

In the final substantive discussion, the panel addresses the contentious topic of the Electoral College versus the popular vote system. The CNN Host expresses a preference for a popular vote:

Kamala Harris [15:22]: "I'm for popular vote. And I think finally Republicans would then be popular."

This brief exchange encapsulates ongoing debates about electoral fairness and representation in American democracy.

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Conclusion

Throughout the episode, Van Jones and Kamala Harris provide insightful perspectives on maintaining critical alliances, leveraging celebrity influence for social good, and navigating the evolving political landscape. Their discussions with Bill Maher and the CNN Host offer a nuanced exploration of both historical contexts and contemporary challenges facing American society. From the importance of unity against divisive forces to the strategic use of public platforms for advocacy, the episode underscores the multifaceted approach required to uphold and advance democratic values.

Notable Quotes:

• Van Jones [01:34]: "We basically co-authored and co-created what you now call American democracy. In fact, if you like American democracy, thank a black and thank a Jew."

• Kamala Harris [07:57]: "There is a lot of joy there, Bill. And I love to do the friendship bracelets."

• Van Jones [05:17]: "When you have somebody who is a world-famous superstar... it's brilliant."

This episode serves as a compelling listen for anyone interested in the intersections of race, politics, and social justice in contemporary America.

Transcript

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[Bill Maher]

Welcome to an HBO podcast from the HBO late night series Real Time with Bill Maher.

[CNN Host]

All right. He's a CNN host and author of the Van Jones substack, Van Jones. And he's the 43rd governor of Colorado, Jared Polis. Okay, for Van what explains the fracture between Jews and blacks on the left and how can an alliance be restored? Well, I guess they're talking about the old 60s when Jews were prominent in the civil rights movement and went in the south and some of them got.

[Van Jones]

Killed along with that. Listen, 1909, blacks and Jews, backs were against the wall. We had actual apartheid here. It was so bad that what we were doing in the US south inspired Hitler. It inspired the Afrikaners in South Africa. What we were doing here, blacks and Jews, backs against the wall, created an organization together, a Black Jewish Alliance. It was called the naacp. Okay. Next year, they created an organization together called, that we now call the Urban League. So this has been every decade in the whole last century, a disproportionate share of what was deepening and defending democracy were African Americans who believed in justice for all and Jewish activists who believed in repairing the world. And so we basically co authored and co created what you now call American democracy. In fact, if you like American democracy, thank a black and thank a Jew. You're welcome. So there is a deliberate effort on the part of Iran and Russia and China to drive a wedge and to make sure that every African American under.

[CNN Host]

The age of 30, they're getting a lot of help. They're getting a lot of help from people who want to divide the world into colonizers or colonized and the oppressed and the oppressors. This is how a lot of the youth come to see what's going on in Gaza. As some sort of an extension of the civil rights movement in America when it has nothing to do with it.

[Van Jones]

But the thing is, there's some dumb ideas on the left or some reductionist ideas on the left, but we also have geopolitical adversaries that are jumping on that and making it worse than it should be. And I think what we gotta remember is even if we don't agree on what's happening overseas, black people can agree that hostages should be freed. We came over here as hostages. We're not for hostages. Black people should be able to agree that hate crimes against Jewish people are wrong. We stood up for Muslims when they were getting jumped on after 9, 11. We stood up for Asians when they were getting jumped on after Covid. We just stood up for Jews. We should be able to agree that Hamas is not a freedom fighting organization. They are a freedom taking Nazi organization. They did not deserve black support. And we should be able to agree. We should be able to agree that both help Palestinians and Israelis deserve a secure homeland. So there are issues that we disagree. What's happening in Gaza? Don't like Bibi Netanyahu. There are other issues that we should be working together on. I'm fighting for that.

[Kamala Harris]

I won't add much, but I want to say Kamala Harris, Doug Emhoff, the Black Jewish Alliance.

[Van Jones]

Yay. There it is. It lives.

[CNN Host]

All right, for the panel, what does the panel think of Trump doing Joe Rogan's podcast today? And is it a mistake for Kamala not to do it? It? Yeah, I think it is a mistake. I think.

[Van Jones]

Mistake.

[CNN Host]

She didn't do this show.

[Kamala Harris]

Yeah, she did. You invite her? Yeah, of course.

[CNN Host]

No, we didn't invite her.

[Kamala Harris]

Of course she should.

[CNN Host]

We would have bumped you for her.

[Van Jones]

I hate to say. I hate to tell you.

[CNN Host]

I hate to tell you.

[Kamala Harris]

There's still time. I hope. And I know she's going to be campaigning in Texas. I hope she does the podcast. I think the more people see of Kamala Harris, the more they like her. She needs to get out there. I think some of that is a staff reticence that they had because of Joe Biden, which you couldn't put out there. We understand that. You can put her out there. She's terrific. She's likable, she's joyous, she's fun, she's clever. Get her out there.

[CNN Host]

Roy, for a guy who's not an official surrogate, you're on the waiting list. What did the panel think of Trump's stint as fry cooker at McDonald's and you know, I mean, I already, you know, it's like it's. They see indifferent.

[Van Jones]

I think it's brilliant. I think it's brilliant.

[CNN Host]

Yes.

[Van Jones]

I think when you have somebody who is a world famous superstar, who's a billionaire, et cetera, et cetera, and they do something you don't expect, it's brilliant.

[CNN Host]

Media.

[Van Jones]

And I think we gotta acknowledge that this guy is beating the pants off of us with these so called publicity stunts. It gets into everybody's feeds and people who are not looking at politics will look at that. I think we just have to have more fun ourselves. We were having a great time during the Democratic convention. If we have more fun, if the Democratic Party is a party of fun, people will join it. We should be doing crazy stuff too.

[CNN Host]

And if I might add one more thing, it's like, don't immediately just go to, I hate him for that.

[Van Jones]

Yeah.

[CNN Host]

Which is what. But everybody I know here in Hollywood does that. And it's like, first of all, you look weak. You look weak. You look like you're so easily gotten. You know, you look like you overreact to anything. I think politics comes out of personality. I'm going to do something extensive on this one day. But personalities, your personality first. I know people who are conservative politically because I know them. That's just who they are. They're squares and that's okay. And there are people who just like, they think Trump is fun like that. I don't get it, but I don't get Taylor Swift. You know, not that I'm comparing them, but I'm just saying.

[Kamala Harris]

I bet you would have. I bet you would have bumped me for Taylor Swift too.

[CNN Host]

What's this?

[Kamala Harris]

You would have bumped me for Taylor Swift?

[Van Jones]

How did I know where exactly? Of course I would. Everybody else is turning you down.

[CNN Host]

I'd bump Kamala for Taylor Swift. She's a. No, I'm just saying.

[Van Jones]

Yeah, I agree.

[CNN Host]

She's a classy person and the success she's had, the influence she's had is amazing. I just, you know, not your cup of tea. Nikki Glaser was doing my podcast and I said, I don't get this. Nikki, you've been to 18 concerts, tell me. And she's like, the music is so amazing. And she said, just watch the ERAS tour. You know, it's a three hour thing on Apple, I think. And I. Ok, I did not move the needle at all. This is not great music to me. But that's just me. I don't get her music and I don't think Trump's jokes about Arnold Palmer's dick are funny, but other people do. It just it's not relevant.

[Kamala Harris]

So for those of us who love Taylor Swift, and I'm the big Swiftie, that is some of the fun that Kamala Harris is bringing into politics. So I did like a Swifties for Kamala kickoff in Nevada, where I was just campaigning for. We got all this energy exchanging friendship bracelets and having fun. So there's a lot of joy there, Bill. And I love to do the friendship bracelets.

[CNN Host]

I'm not. Flunk yourself out. I love all the joy and all the everything that, you know, she does great. But, you know, I just don't get the music. All right, what are your thoughts on the Menendez brothers potential being released on parole? And is it a positive sign for proponents of criminal justice reform? Well, what does it say about the difference between, if anything, between now and 30 years ago, how we look at the law? And also, obviously, it has a lot to do with the Netflix series. I think it's Netflix that just came out, which, you know, I haven't seen all of it, but the parents, I mean, I didn't watch too much of it, but enough to go, oh, wow, I'd have blown their heads off, too. And they, you know, maybe these kids have been in jail for too long.

[Van Jones]

Yeah. Yeah. Look, I don't know much about the case. I know that Kim Kardashian played a role as well. And I think that people a few years ago were kind of laughing her off. Oh, you know, she's not serious about this stuff. Kim Kardashian has become one of the most effective criminal justice advocates in the country, surprising a lot of people. And I think we need more people who have that kind of power taking on some tougher causes. A lot of times celebrities get involved in like the let's put mittens on kittens, you know, something nobody's gonna get mad about, you know, and so good for Kim Kardashian.

[CNN Host]

Okay. What are the chances this election plays out like the midterms in 2022 when women came out to vote to protect reproductive rights. Well, I'm going to jump in first on that because I read an interesting story in the paper yesterday which might not be so good for that, which said they thought when a lot of these states went medieval on abortion, that would be less abortions, actually more because pills, women get the pills in the mail. The abortion pill, the Ruin 486. I am. And also telemedicine. You can get doctors in different states. So, like, it did not have the effect. It's still wrong. But it didn't have the effect that people thought it would. So therefore it might not have the political effect. I don't know if Democrats can count on this as much as they thought they could.

[Van Jones]

Well, I think in Pennsylvania, because it's not a big issue there. I think we may not have the turnout, but I think even though people have been able to get around it, you can't get around when you have a medical complication. And when you see these stories of women bleeding, bleeding out in parking lots, those stories ripple out bigger than just the numbers, the qualitative impact on women.

[Kamala Harris]

Turning out in higher numbers. From your mouth, the goddess's ears. But look, this is obviously a winning issue for Democrats. There's no question of polls in Democrats favor, that's men and women. But it is not the only winning issue. And I think when you do talk about choice and the right of people over their own reproductive health, you do have to talk about how you're going to help make sure that people can raise their kids in a loving environment. Free preschool and kindergarten tax credits for families that can't afford it. I mean, all those things that go into really having wonderful families across our country, including empowering women to decide if and when they have children.

[Van Jones]

I'm for that.

[Kamala Harris]

I'm for that.

[Nerd Wallet]

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[CNN Host]

All right. This week, LeBron James and his son Bronny made history being the first father son duo to play together in the NBA. Okay, well, I don't even want them. What the question is, I didn't like it. I'm just going to give you tell me why.

[Van Jones]

Why not?

[CNN Host]

I'll tell you why. I did one of my best editorials here one night talking about sports, the last bastion of utter merit. Sure. This is why people love sports. Everything else is tainted. Modeling used to be just merit. They'd have to go into a village in the Ukraine and find a 14 year old who was like freakishly good looking. Well, now a lot, even the models, you know, a lot of them are Nepo babies. Nepo babies in politics, Nepo babies in everything. The one place where you could for sure know that the people who were there were absolutely the best. Not only in the country, in the world was sports. And this is the one, you know, the Lakers, they're a great team, but they did this with Kobe's last year. They made that more about that and his retiring than it was about winning that year. And this is, you know, it just it just. I don't like it.

[Van Jones]

Well, I don't know anything at all about sports and.

[CNN Host]

Oh, come on.

[Van Jones]

I really don't.

[Kamala Harris]

Look, if Shohei Ohtani has kids, somebody's going to draft him at age 2 because, I mean, that guy can play.

[CNN Host]

But if the kid can't play, they're not going to make the team.

[Kamala Harris]

No, no, but I mean, you want.

[CNN Host]

There's no way that kid is on the team. LeBron James, son. If he wasn't LeBron James, son. LeBron James wanted to have this moment, this photo op, this first ever.

[Kamala Harris]

I'm a Nuggets fan. Anyway, so if other teams, you know, defy the meritocracy and the Lakers are putting subpar talent on the field, more power to the Nuggets.

[CNN Host]

All right, well, and here's a follow up question for you. What about this? That Columbus was a Jew.

[Kamala Harris]

Oh, hey. So when I was growing up.

[CNN Host]

Didn't hear this.

[Kamala Harris]

So, Bill, Bill, when you and I were growing up, Columbus was a hero, an explorer, discovered new. Of course, he was Christian and Italian. The minute he became a colonizer, he became Jewish. I mean, seriously, that's how it feels.

[CNN Host]

That's a great answer. I mean, no, if you miss the story, they. They dug him up. He was buried, I think, in. Somewhere in. I think in Spain. His body was first buried in the New World. Well, he never even set foot in America, but, okay, somewhere. And then they transferred it. I forget all the. Where it went, but they dug him up, got the DNA. Of course, they don't know this for certain, but they're pretty sure that he probably was Jewish. I don't know what.

[Kamala Harris]

That had always been rumored in Jewish circles. You know, like, was he. Was he really. Well, 1492 was the same year the Jews were expelled from Spain.

[CNN Host]

Yes, Correct.

[Kamala Harris]

And it was also noted that there were some Jews on his voyage. I think his translator was Jewish. So it was rumored. But at that time, as I said, Columbus was a hero growing up. And so. But yeah, it was. It looks like he was verified he was of at least some Sephardic origin. So another tidbit for the history books.

[CNN Host]

Van, what do you think of Puffy? Puffy P. Diddy and Mayor Adams in New York both saying that they're just penalizing successful black men.

[Van Jones]

Oh, look, a rabbit.

[CNN Host]

A rabbit.

[Van Jones]

No, I don't want to mock. I don't want to talk about it.

[Kamala Harris]

I don't want to talk about it.

[Van Jones]

I'm not that courageous.

[Skinny Pop]

Let's move on.

[Van Jones]

Let's talk about Juice.

[CNN Host]

What would happen if Trump won the popular vote but lost the Electoral College? I think that would be the best thing in the world because then they would have to. They would have to.

[Kamala Harris]

I'm for popular vote. And I think finally Republicans would then be popular.

[CNN Host]

Thank you very much. Thank you, guys.

[Bill Maher]

Catch all new episodes of Real Time with Bill Maher every Friday night at 10 or watch him anytime on HBO on Demand. For more information, log on to hbo.com.

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