Colbert drops character and endorses sister's run for Congress: 'She's sane!'

After jokingly refusing to endorse her congressional candidacy on his show, Comedy Central host Stephen Colbert broke down and broke character at a fundraiser he hosted over the weekend to do just that, telling South Carolinians in a video published Monday that he endorses his sister, Elizabeth Colbert-Busch, mostly because "she's sane," but also because Congress desperately needs more women.

During his heartfelt and personal speech, given shortly before everyone went bowling, Colbert said his character on television talks a lot about politics but he's never actually endorsed a candidate. Following a brief overview of their family history and her career, he quipped: "One of the things I thought when Lulu said she was going to be running for Congress is how lucky it would be for the low country and for South Carolina to have her, not just because she is hard working, intelligent, talented and dedicated, but because she's sane!"

"I'm from South Carolina, but we're a crazy state!" Colbert continued. "I think we invented crazy."

"But how great would it be to elect a woman from South Carolina?" he added. "The Republican-controlled House of Representatives can't even seem to bring themselves to bring the Violence Against Women Act up for a vote! Evidently, violence against women is something too controversial for them to even take a stand on. We need more women and more sensible legislators in Washington."

Should Colbert-Busch win her primary, she's likely to face former South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford (R), who is attempting a political comeback after admitting to an extra-marital affair in 2009.

This video was published to YouTube on Feb. 25, 2013.

This video was published by Mount Pleasant Patch on Feb. 25, 2013.