Larry Flynt promises to 'stand erect' in support of 'sex pioneer' Mark Sanford

Republican congressional candidate and former South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford (R), who abandoned his post in 2009 to visit Argentina with his mistress, received an unexpected endorsement from porn publisher Larry Flynt on Tuesday.

That might be good grist for his Democratic opponent, Elizabeth Colbert-Busch, but it's also good for "Hustler" magazine proprietor Larry Flynt, who published a two-minute endorsement speech on Tuesday hailing Sanford as a "sex pioneer."

"His open embrace of his mistress in the name of love, breaking his sacred marriage vows, was an act of bravery that has drawn my support," Flynt says in the video.

"My endorsement has not been an easy decision for me," he continues. "Even though Mark Sanford has emerged as a sexual leader, he is a liar. He lied to his staff, he lied to his wife, he lied to his children and he lied to the people of South Carolina. But despite his journey down the Appalachian Trail of deceit, I support him for exposing the hypocrisy of traditional values. The liar has exposed the greater lie."

Flynt added that he's sent Sanford's campaign a check for $2,600, the maximum allowed for individual contributions.

As it would happen, Flynt's endorsement came at the same time that AshleyMadison.com, a website that encourages extra-marital affairs, put up a billboard in South Carolina featuring Sanford's face and the message, "Next time use AshleyMadison.com to find your 'running mate.'"

For Sanford, those two endorsements can't be much of a help, especially after the National Republican Congressional Committee officially pulled their support following allegations that he trespassed on his ex-wife's property.

At least he's got the tea party astroturf group Freedom Works on his side -- although, their announcement kind of got overlooked, given that they picked the same day as Flynt and AshleyMadison.com to say they were backing him.

"Mark Sanford will be a consistent vote to get spending under control, pass a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution, repeal and replace ObamaCare, and make the tax code fairer and simpler for all Americans," Freedom Works PAC presdient Matt Kibbe said in a statement published Tuesday.

"I also commend Sanford’s supporters for bucking the National Republican Congressional Committee after it withdrew its backing of Mark Sanford despite his victory in the Republican primary for the 1st Congressional District," Flynt said. "While the Republican Party continues to display its cowardice and hypocrisy, I am willing to step in and stand erect for Mark Sanford."

This video was published to YouTube on Tuesday, April 30, 2013.