Jon Stewart to Ron Paul: Can't you just be a typical Washington politician?

Jon Stewart is urging Ron Paul to become a typical Washington politician. It’s true – during last night’s “Daily Show” the comedian told GOP presidential hopeful Paul he would get a lot more attention if he just changed some of his positions by 180 degrees.

“Have you ever thought about flip-flopping?” Stewart asked a grinning Paul.

Yes, this was an elaborate joke. Stewart said he’d noticed that during GOP debates the other candidates spend lots of time yelling at each other about alleged changes on the issues, and that they ignore Paul while doing this, since he’s pretty consistent.

A flip-flop would get Paul more televised face time, said Stewart.

“I would suggest right now that what you should do is come out for a war on Iran,” he told the ferociously non-interventionist Texas lawmaker.

Failing that, Paul could gain weight so as to look like New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, said Stewart. (See, the GOP establishment is begging Christie to throw his belt into the ring, to compete with cowboy Rick Perry. That’s why it’s funny. And yes, comedy dies when it’s explained.)

Stewart also put up a picture of Paul Photoshopped into a Sarah Palin-esque leather jacket.

“Have you thought about getting a tour bus like hers?” Stewart asked.

Last night’s “Daily Show” appearance was Paul’s third in recent years. Stewart’s been promoting the libertarian recently, complaining on air and in interviews that Paul’s being unfairly ignored by the media. So we have to ask: is Stewart completely in the tank for this guy?

They had a good discussion, but Stewart didn’t exactly ask tough questions. Of course, he’s a comedian, so he’s not necessarily supposed to. But still.

For instance, on the subject of health care – in the extended Paul interview posted online – Stewart obliquely brought up the incident in a recent debate when Wolf Blitzer asked Paul how he’d help a young person who was seriously ill but had no health insurance. At the time, Paul said charity would plug such holes in the social safety net.

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