Rachel Maddow asked former Arizona congressman J.D. Hayworth about his recent statement that the 2004 Massachusetts supreme court ruling defined same-sex marriage in such a way as to allow a person to marry a horse.

Hayworth, who is challenging Sen. John McCain for the Republican nomination, told a Florida radio station Sunday that the Massachusetts high court defined marriage as “simply 'the establishment of intimacy'” in its historic ruling.

“Now, how dangerous is that?” asked Hayworth. “I mean, I don't mean to be absurd about it, but I guess I can make the point of absurdity with an absurd point — I guess that would mean if you really had affection for your horse, I guess you could marry your horse.”

Maddow asked Hayworth where he found the phrase “establishment of intimacy” in the Massachusetts ruling.

“It’s just not there, let alone the horse thing,” she said.

Watch the conversation below. It begins at the nine minute mark.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy