Rep. Ron Paul is set to make his first appearance of the primary season on “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.”

The Comedy Central comedian has a bit of a crush on the longshot congressman from Texas, and it hasn’t gone unnoticed.

At a breakfast Wednesday morning sponsored by The Christian Science Monitor, Paul said he was appreciative of the publicity that Stewart has been giving to his campaign.

“[Stewart] really made our case,” Paul said.

Stewart’s vocal support started after the Ames Straw poll, when most media organizations virtually ignored Paul’s strong second place finish.

“How did libertarian Ron Paul become the 13th floor in a hotel?” Stewart said at the time.

Paul later thanked Stewart for the onslaught of media coverage that followed. “Isn’t it great that somebody like that comes to defend us? he said.

But Stewart’s open admiration for the Texas congressmen doesn’t meant that Paul is spared from the comedian’s barbs. E arlier this month, Paul said during a GOP/Politico debate in Simi Valley, Calif., that a barbed-wire fence between the United States and Mexico was un-American, and he implied that it might eventually be used to keep Americans in, instead of keeping illegal immigrants out.

“I’m telling you, this is why we need this guy in the race!” Stewart said on his show. ”He is the only guy in any political party who realizes that at some point we might want to sneak into Mexico.”

But he still clearly appreciates Paul’s consistent principles. CSM highlights an interview published in the current issue of Rolling Stone magazine, in which Stewart notes that it’s impossible to produce a video of Paul contradicting himself on issues.

“[Paul's] been consistent over the years,”Stewart said. “You may disagree with him, but at least you can respect that the guy has a belief system he’s engaged in and will defend.”

Monday’s appearance will mark the third time Paul has appeared on ”The Daily Show,” but the first of this primary season.