President Obama made his fourth visit to the Tonight Show last night, his second as sitting president, and told Jay Leno he wasn't spending much time worrying about his potential Republican rivals—because the GOP race is kinda like Survivor. “I'm going to wait until everybody’s voted off the island,” he said. “Once they narrow it down to one of two, I’ll start paying attention.” More highlights, courtesy of ABC, the Wall Street Journal, the Atlantic, and Politico:
- On his dislike for the Kardashians: “No, I have not seen the show. … I am probably a little biased against reality TV, partly because there’s this program on CSPAN called Congress that is…”
- On Moammar Gadhafi: The dictator “had an opportunity during the Arab Spring to finally let loose of his grip on power and to peacefully transition into democracy. We gave him ample opportunity, and he wouldn't do it.”
- On what was accomplished in Iraq: “Saddam Hussein is gone, and that's a good thing. … But I also think that policy makers and future presidents need to understand what it is that we're getting ourselves into when we make some of these decisions and, you know, there might have been other ways for us to accomplish those same goals.”
- On Hillary Clinton: “She has been, I think, as good of a secretary of State as we've seen in this country. She's been outstanding.”
- On the possibility of a Clinton-Biden switcheroo: “You know, Joe Biden is not only a great vice president, but he has been a great adviser and a great friend to me. … I think that they're doing great where they are.”
- On whether he quit smoking: “I did. I did. Definitely.” And exercise, which he does with Michelle, helps—but “she's in better shape than me … and so it's embarrassing sometimes. … You know, she'll get (to the gym) half an hour earlier than me. She will have already run 10 miles or something.”
- On the NBA lockout: “Oh! Heartbreaking.”
Watch the full interview in the gallery. (More
Jay Leno stories.)
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