Ron Paul and Jon Stewart joke about media coverage, war on drugs

Ron Paul appeared on Comedy Central's "The Daily Show" Monday night, bantering with host Jon Stewart about the media's treatment of the Republican primary field.

Stewart, who mocked the media for largely ignoring Paul earlier this year when the libertarian congressman finished second in the Iowa straw poll, jokingly told Paul that he should change his stance on some key issues to get more attention at the Republican debates. 

Paul laughed, but declined the opportunity — facetiously offered by Stewart — to declare support for war on Iran. "Where would my supporters be?" the Texas congressman asked.

But Paul said he was happy with his passionate base, saying he believed it would propel him into the thick of the Republican race.

"We don't have to immediately convince 51 percent of the voters," Paul said. "You do need a hardcore group of people who understand, volunteer and work hard. Once you get to 10 percent, you have the number … We very well could be, and most likely are, on the verge of an explosion."

Much of the evening focused on issues like the war, drug policy and political freedoms — topics of common ground between Paul and Stewart's mostly young, liberal audience.

"I hate the war on drugs a lot more than I fear drugs themselves, and I hate drugs," Paul said.

But Stewart and Paul also sparred on substantial critiques of libertarian versus liberal political philosophy. Stewart pressed Paul on why voters should embrace his vision for the country, when environmental and labor abuses occurred during the laissez-faire period of limited government during the Industrial Revolution.

"It's been tried, but it's never been perfect, but has socialism or authoritarianism been perfect? No, it's been horrible," Paul said.

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