Libertarian Vice Presidential candidate and former Massachusetts governor Bill Weld joined Rachel Maddow on Tuesday night for an interview, which turned out to be quite surprising.

After he discussed the fate and future of the Libertarian Party, he admitted that their primary goal was to reach 5 percent of the vote in order to qualify for public funds in 2020. But as the discussion turned to Hillary Clinton, he also admitted that if it came to a choice between getting that 5 percent and endangering Clinton's election chances, he'd recommend voters choose her.

Then he went further, toward what sounded like an endorsement.

"I have a lot to say about Mrs. Clinton that has not been said by others recently, and i think needs to be said," he said. "I have known her for 40 years. I know her well professionally, personally, I know her to be a person of high moral character, a reliable person. and an honest person, however so much Mr. Trump may rant and rave to the contrary. People can make their own choices."

Later in the interview, Rachel pressed him on the contradiction between his statements and the campaign's which essentially contradicted everything he just said.

Weld answered, "I'm doing it based on my personal experience with her. I think she deserves to have people vouch for her, other than members of the Democratic National Committee, so i'm here to do that."

I don't like Libertarian principles. I'm distrustful of Republicans as a general rule. But my sense of him is that he was absolutely genuine and sincere. Good for him for doing what's right.

The complete interview is below.