The Clinton White House today said they would start to give national security and intelligence briefings to George Bush. I don't know how well this is working out. Today after the first one Bush said, 'I've got one question: What color is the red phone?'

Bill Maher's quote humorously critiques the situation in the Clinton White House and the process of transitioning national security and intelligence briefings to George Bush after the 2000 presidential election. Maher suggests that Bush’s response to the briefing, which centered around a basic question about the red phone—a symbol of urgent, direct communication—highlights his perceived lack of readiness for the gravity of the role he was stepping into. The quote reflects Maher’s comedic style, where he uses humor to comment on political matters and question the preparedness of public figures.

The line "What color is the red phone?" plays on the idea that Bush was more focused on a superficial detail rather than the serious content of the briefing. The red phone is traditionally associated with high-stakes, direct communication with the president’s advisers on national security, particularly during crises. Maher uses this joke to subtly criticize the notion that Bush was unprepared or unfamiliar with the complexities of the presidency, especially when it came to issues of national security.

The origin of the quote lies in the post-election period between the Clinton administration and the incoming Bush presidency. During this time, Bush and his team were receiving briefings from the outgoing administration to ensure a smooth transition of power. Maher’s joke draws attention to the humorous, and perhaps concerning, idea that Bush’s first priority was not national security or intelligence but rather understanding basic symbols of power.

Ultimately, Maher’s quote uses humor to shed light on the seriousness of the transition of power and the potential gaps in knowledge or preparation. The comedic nature of the quote helps draw attention to the fact that the process of preparing an incoming president for the complexities of national governance is critical, but it also highlights the sometimes absurd and trivial moments that can occur in politics.