Jon Stewart to continue ‘Daily’ grind

Whoever runs for president in 2008 will be covered by Jon Stewart on “The Daily Show.”

The star of the Comedy Central mock newscast has re-upped for four more years, the cable channel announced Thursday.

“A lot of people like to get out when their show’s still going well,” Stewart said. “This gives me the opportunity to beat this thing into the ground.”

Besides hosting “The Daily Show,” Stewart serves as an executive producer and writer. His contract had been set to expire at the end of this year. He joined the program in January 1999, taking over from Craig Kilborn. It premiered in 1996.

So far this year, viewership has averaged 1 million for the weeknight 11 p.m. airing -- an all-time high for the show. The program has won several Emmys as well as a Peabody Award for its “Indecision 2000” political coverage.