Ron Paul ‘forgets’ Rick Perry’s name, praises Jon Stewart [Video]

Ron Paul doesn’t seem too impressed with the big-talkin’, big-walkin’ governor of Texas.

Speaking to volunteers for his presidential campaign in New Hampshire on Wednesday, Paul brought up the New New Thing in the GOP race, Rick Perry and his highly criticized remarks about Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke. (Watch video below.)

But Paul didn’t mention Perry by name. In fact, he said he couldn’t remember what it was. He called him “this other governor.”

“He realizes that talking about the Fed is good, too,” Paul said. “But I’ll tell you what, he makes me look like a moderate. I have never once said that Bernanke has committed treason.”

Pausing a beat for effect (and showing a good sense of comic timing), Paul continued: “But I have suggested very strongly that the Federal Reserve system and all the members have been counterfeiters for a long time.” That brought down the house.

Now whether Paul really couldn’t remember the name of the governor of his home state of Texas or whether he was simply following the first rule of campaigning--never mention an opponent’s name--is hard to know. But Paul did manage to recall the name of Jon Stewart, host of “The Daily Show,” whom he praised for criticizing the political press for ignoring Paul’s second-place finish in the Iowa Straw Poll.

Stewart said the media was treating Paul like “the 13th floor” of a hotel.

“This guy on Comedy Central or something. His name is Jon Stewart,” Paul said. “He’s an honest person, he wants the truth and when we do agree, he lets people know.”

Here is Paul talking with supporters Wednesday:

Here’s Stewart from this week: