President Obama appeared Tuesday night on NBC's "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno" and discussed a variety of topics.
Leno started the interview on a serious note, asking Obama about his reaction to former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi's death. The President said, "this is somebody who, for 40 years, had terrorized his country, had supported terrorism." Obama went on to explain that Gaddafi was given, but ultimately squandered, "an opportunity during the Arab Spring to finally let loose of his grip on power and to peacefully transition into democracy." Ultimately, Obama concluded, Gaddafi's demise "sends a strong message around the world to dictators that people long to be free, and they need to respect the human rights and the universal aspirations of people."
Obama also addressed GOP opposition, saying that people in the country are "fed up" with politicians "putting party ahead of country or putting the next election ahead of the next generation." In reference to some Republican opposition to his Iraq troop withdrawal announcement, the President sarcastically stated, "it's shocking that they opposed something I proposed."
Speaking about the GOP presidential debates, Obama joked that he would wait until "everybody's voted off the island" before paying more attention to the race.
The President also joked about the White House's Halloween treats. Obama explained that the First Lady has "been giving, for the last few years, kids fruit and raisins in the bag. And I said the White House is gonna get egged if this keeps up. You need to throw some candy in there."
Watch clips from Obama's appearance below (all clips via NBC).
WATCH (Obama Reacts To Gaddafi Death):
WATCH (Obama Talks GOP Opposition):
WATCH (Obama Talks GOP Presidential Candidates):
WATCH (Obama Talks Halloween):