CONCORD, N.H. -- One of the many quirks of Ron Paul's unexpectedly vigorous campaign for the Republican presidential nomination has been that he has been able to generate such a fervent following despite a campaign manner that verges on the grandfatherly. But in a brief interview in New Hampshire a few days ago, Paul showed that he is capable of delivering a barbed line or two, albeit wrapped in a kindly septuagenarian smile.

Asked what he made of John McCain's comments at last week's GOP debate comparing Paul's opposition to the war in Iraq to the appeasement of Hitler in the 1930s, Paul let loose, saying that McCain was "confused historically."

"People in the 1930s who didn't want war didn't cause World War II. I think Hitler caused the war, not the Americans who argued for a pro-American foreign policy," he said.

"I don't think [McCain] understands the difference between isolationism and non-intervention. How can he condemn it if the Founders believed in it? George Washington, Jefferson, this was their strong advice."

Paul concluded with this zinger, saying with a smile and a shrug that he was "not too surprised" by McCain's invocation of Hitler: "I think he's angry and emotional. I think he sees his campaign coming to an end and is sort of striking out."

On another subject, Paul defended the small Indiana outfit that produces "Liberty Dollars," an alternative currency backed by gold and silver and marketed to skeptics who fear that the U.S. monetary system is on the verge of collapse. The outfit, which is also selling "Ron Paul Dollars" to honor the candidate, was raided last month by federal authorities. Paul said he did not know the group's founder and leader, Bernard von NotHaus, but said he saw nothing wrong with the group's use of Paul's name to market its medallions. "My position on money is that I don't like the fiat. I want to get rid of it but I don't want to get rid of it overnight," he said. "I want a competing currency. I want to legalize the Constitution, use gold and silver tender and let people have a choice. But what do we do? We arrest the guy and steal his money. It's an interesting subject. I don't even know the guy so I don't know any of the legal aspects of it, but he's certainly invited to use my image and my name on his coin."