Bill Maher Defends Sanford: "At Least Sanford Was Truly In Love" And Not Having "Sleazy" Sex With The "Easiest Roadkill" He Could Find (VIDEO)

Bill Maher, comedian and host of HBO's "Real Time," appeared on "Hardball" tonight to discuss a wide range of issues, from Maher's trip through the South, to the Sotomayor nomination hearings, to the recent spate of politicians being caught having extramarital affairs. It was on this last topic that Maher truly outdid himself, as evidenced by Chris Matthews barely being able to breathe he's laughing so hard.

Maher expressed sympathy for South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford because

at least Sanford was truly in love. And I think he looks very good next to all the other cheating politicians we've seen in recent years... We're so accustomed to Bill Clinton with Monica Lewinsky, John Edwards and Eliot Spitzer. You know, all these politicians, [Senator John] Ensign as you mentioned, and it's always just sleazy. They're just having sex with the easiest roadkill they can find. It's just, you know, 'Oh my god, the door just closed, my wife's in the other room, come over here and touch me.' It's this very sleazy quick kind of sex, and this guy Sanford, you know, I tell you, he could win women back if he just went to this mistress because obviously that's who he loves. I mean, that's the third act of the movie.

WATCH:

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Send us tips! Write us at [e-mail] if you see any newsworthy or notable TV moments. Read more about our media monitoring project here and click here to join the Media Monitors team.

Comments

[GypsyJack]

01:22 AM on 07/27/2009

did anyone see the look on Bill Maher's face when he was asked about love.. I think bill has a secret. Gypsy

[rimofheaven]

03:32 PM on 07/19/2009

I read the emails. As a conservative old sourpuss I hate to say it but, True love. And Bill was simply pointing this out. Fidelity is sacred and he was wrong to violate that, but it is done. I've been there and I don't believe he can truly ever go back to what he and his wife shared. The wound is enormous and in order for it to be healed true repentance and true forgiveness are absolute, and such reunions are rare.

[voteforlove]

05:19 PM on 07/18/2009

Chris is in love.

[juskidding]

04:26 PM on 07/18/2009

bill, how do you determine he was truly in love?

because he said so?

what about all the women he has been chasing all at once?

his true love seems so cheap.

oh, he's very generous with his heart, right?

but he couldn't perform his public responsibilities because of his true love

and he had to lie......

no matter how you cut it, he's gotta go.

[LetsGetToWork]

07:10 PM on 07/16/2009

What was the funniest was Tweety trying not to interrupt. Spouse and I conjectured that Bill had an "adios' clause in the appearance deal. It was funny watching tweety swirm...

[roch20]

12:14 PM on 07/16/2009

I looove Real Time with Bill Maher's show! Sometimes Bill get it twisted, but man, it's so much fun to watch him!

[toocoldout]

09:56 AM on 07/16/2009

Funny when he brought up Monica

[MuchMadness]

11:55 PM on 07/15/2009

If Sean Hannity edited the tape the way he often does on his show, it might wind up like this.

Matthews: down in Dallas, you were down there, there’s always somebody local to [expletive deleted]

Maher: Right. [Long pause.] Right. I … I love it, you know, and I don’t shy away from it. You’re right, I was just in Austin and Dallas

[TJoad]

10:31 PM on 07/15/2009

Mathews as a baby?:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5P6UU6m3cqk

[weatherwaxx]

08:50 PM on 07/15/2009

I have to wonder if Maria would have been his "soulmate" if he hadn't gotten caught ... she wasnt' the first and I'm betting she won't be the last.

[libster4]

07:44 PM on 07/15/2009

I think Chris peed his pants laughing! I mean, Bill Maher is pretty funny, but my God, get a grip, man!

[selma]

07:19 PM on 07/15/2009

Here is the deal. Its very noble that Sanford loves this woman and doesnt trash her, but that doesnt give him the excuse to brag about his affair and call her his soulmate..its totally insensitive to his wife and children. Dont trash the mistress, but its ok to humiliate the wife like this.

A love affair is always a willfull choice. You can feel attracted to someone, even connected, but it requires work on your part to carry it to the next level and nurture it, and that is where I have little sympathy for adultary of any form. Knowingly doing something that will hurt your spouse and children is simply excusable to me, and there is nothing worthy about it. At this rate, all of us will be walking around knowing there is someone out there who can move us emotionally more than our current partner. Does this mean, we are always on the lookout?

[possibilizer]

08:36 AM on 07/19/2009

Thank you Selma.....I love your view on affairs.

[george389]

05:47 PM on 07/15/2009

it seems like chris gets that thrill up his leg for maher as well

[wayne64]

05:11 PM on 07/15/2009

Bill Maher is must watch TV for me ...Would love for him to come to Ft Smith, Arkansas... one of the redneck strongholds in the USA. .....Why am I here?

[mainemomma]

09:21 PM on 07/15/2009

C'mon to the Northeast!

[TheLibs]

09:45 PM on 07/15/2009

Maher was talking about how he loves to make the rounds to talk to liberals that are 'marbled' into conservative areas. I guess us 'marbled' people are doing our bit to change the world as well. Keep the faith, Wayne.

Mainemomma - If I could move to the northeast - I'd be there in a skinny minute. :-)

[peacegurl48]

03:59 PM on 07/15/2009

I don't care who sleeps with whom but my issue is that Sandford, Ensign and most of the GOP hold themselves above the rest of us. These same people denigrated President Clinton and tout family values while they do anything they're big enough to do. Appalling Hypocrisy.
Bill Maher has no use for religion or marriage, he's made that clear.

[roblabrousse]

09:30 AM on 07/16/2009

Bill Maher's attitude towards religion or marriage have nothing to do with his sense of morality or justice. Don't forget he's a comic as well.