First lady jokes about hosting 'Tonight Show'

[February 23, 2013]  WASHINGTON (AP) -- Michelle Obama says she's eyeing another campaign in 2016 and, contrary to speculation, it doesn't involve running for public office.

During her first appearance on "Late Night With Jimmy Fallon" on Friday, the host asked her to consider a Michelle-Hillary ticket for president in 2016. The latter is former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, who lost the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination to Mrs. Obama's husband. Speculation is rampant that Clinton is gearing up to run again in 2016.

"You know, I have my eye actually on another job. And I hear that when Jay Leno retires that 'The Tonight Show' position is going to open and I'm thinking about putting my hat in the ring," the first lady says, according to an excerpt of the appearance released before airtime by NBC.

"I got my hat in the ring," Fallon replies.

Mrs. Obama then asks for his opinion, but Fallon's answer suggests he's had a quick change of heart about challenging her. "I'm done thinking about it," he says, laughing.

The first lady visited the late-night talk show to promote "Let's Move," her anti-childhood obesity campaign, which marked its third anniversary this month.

She also danced with Fallon, who was dressed like a woman.

Besides the appearance on "Late Night," Mrs. Obama discussed the initiative while in New York City during segments taped for broadcast Tuesday on ABC's "Good Morning America" and Thursday on "The Dr. Oz Show." Next Wednesday, Mrs. Obama embarks on a two-day promotional tour, with stops in Clinton, Miss.; Chicago; and Springfield, Mo.

For the second anniversary of "Let's Move," she and Fallon turned the East Room of the White House into a playground. They did pushups, twirled hula hoops, and competed at dodge ball and tug-of-war before the first lady triumphed over the comedian in a climactic potato sack race.

[Associated Press; By DARLENE SUPERVILLE]

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