Jay Wins Round 1 in Romney vs. Leno

If last evening's appearance by Mitt Romney on The Tonight Show is any indication of things to come, Jay Leno should have an easy time beating the Republican candidate in November 2008.

In what many consider to be Round 1 in the campaign of wit and humor for the White House, Jay decked his opponent several times during his brief interview with Romney on Wednesday's show. For his part, Romney seemed oblivious to the fact that Jay played the part of both funny-man and straight-man to Romney's cardboard cut-out persona.

Though a lot of people were likely switching over to Dave Letterman or Nightline during the Romney interview for some kind of comic relief, those few who stuck around saw Jay reach deep into his vast experience to raise a few chuckles. A few charity-laughs arose when Jay referred to Romney's hair and quipped about the large field of candidates in the Republican debate. For his part, and as expected, Romney spoke in humorless political sound-bites.

Mercifully, Jay got Romney off the stage before things turned irreparably boring by saying, "I know you gotta go now, I know you gotta run." That masterful segue by Jay pulled the show out of its growing lassitude before the commercial break.

Said one unnamed media analyst, "If Leno hadn't cut Mitt Romney off when he did, Mitt would still be talking. About what? I don't know. I just don't know. I really just don't know."

As with other candidates who've appeared on The Tonight Show, Romney mentioned nothing about the Jay Leno for President campaign and seemed completely unaware of the possibility that he might have to face Jay in the general election.

"Jay handled Romney brilliantly," commented one Jay Leno for President campaign booster. "With every word he spoke, Romney seemed to be saying, 'Look, I don't have a clue about anything and I'm about as uninteresting as they come.' Romney's appearance made Jay look that much better as a candidate."

Neither Jay Leno nor NBC has released any statements about Mitt Romney's visit to The Tonight Show. If they want to keep up Jay's substantial lead over his presidential challengers, like Romney, we don't expect they'll say anything.