For all intents and purposes, comic Paula Poundstone is a political commentator. If comments — also known as jokes, in this case — made at the expense of politics and politicians count.

And they must count for something, because after about three decades in the funny business, Poundstone is still making audiences laugh with her take on the state of the world.

In addition to making her rounds on the standup comedy circuit, Poundstone is a regular panelist on National Public Radio's weekly news quiz program with a satirical bent, "Wait, Wait ... Don't Tell Me."

Poundstone, who is scheduled to perform Wednesday at Pipeline Cafe, answered five questions from her home in California.

Q. Since political humor is your thing, and since this is an election year, let's talk about politics. Or is that too dull?

A. It's not too dull! Not this year!

Q. At this stage in the political season, you must be in your element.

A. Well, I try really hard. I talk about politics, but I'm not a political analyst and I don't consider myself always right, but I can say how it appears to me. I'm certainly open to the prospect that I saw it wrong.

I do know this: The political season did start awfully early this time.

Q. Do you think that's made a difference?

A. I think it's just left everyone exhausted. Now that it's really down to the end, I think everyone's a little bit invigorated again, but for a while there it was hard to take.

Q. But then …

A. Yes, then there was Sarah Palin, and that whole thing is quite remarkable in many ways. I give her credit — I don't give her my vote, but I give her credit, because when you think about the fact that people watched and cared about a vice-presidential debate, that's astounding! Plus, it was so dull! Except for the winking and stuff like that, but once you adjusted to that, it wasn't very interesting at all.

Q. What's the funniest thing about this election year? Or are you not finding it very funny?

A. I'm enjoying it, but I just wish I was in another country watching where it wouldn't impact me. Then it would be a laugh a minute.