Hotline After Dark -- Working The Late Night Circuit

Hillary Clinton stopped by the "Tonight Show" last night:

When she walked on stage for her interview she told host Jay Leno: "It is so great to be here. You know I was worried I wasn't going to make it. I was pinned down by sniper fire."

Clinton, on Chelsea taking questions on the campaign trail: "My stomach is in knots. I mean that's the way a parent feels."

On Chelsea saying she'd be a better POTUS than her husband: "She's such a smart young woman."

Asked about ex-Pres. Clinton's tough remarks in her defense: "I've told him, 'Okay, honey, that's all right. We don't have to go get excited about it.' So he's doing a great job for me, but he does get a little carried away sometimes."

Asked to define a superdelegate: "They walk around with capes on" (NBC, 4/3).

After the jump, John McCain goes "On the Record" and all the VP talk fit to print:

(EMILY GOODIN)

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

John McCain went "On the Record" last night:

Asked about his current campaign strategy: "I think it's important for us to run our own campaign and continue laying the groundwork for this -- it's a long presidential campaign -- laying the groundwork, letting the American people know what I stand for and what I believe in and what my vision is. I don't know how this spirited contest between Senator Clinton and Senator Obama plays out, but I know either one, I've committed to a respectful campaign and I'll be respectful to them. And that's what Senator Obama said that he would be to me, and then he goes around and distorts this comment of mine about 100 years. And I hope he won't continue that, if he's committed to a respectful campaign."

Asked if Clinton should drop out of the race: "That's a decision that the Clinton campaign makes, and Senator Clinton. But all I know is that when you and I were in New Hampshire -- it seems like ages ago, it wasn't that long ago -- all the predictions were that Senator Obama was going to win in New Hampshire. She came back. Texas and Ohio, she came back strong then. I think the decision is hers. But one thing I've learned in my involvement in American politics, I would not count anyone named Clinton out of a political campaign. I think they're very, very hard-working, very good at political campaigning, and I think they've proved that."

On fundraising: "We're doing a lot better. We've got a long way to go. They have done very well in fund-raising, and I applaud that. Our party, to some degree, has been very dispirited -- 2006 election, spending out of control. So we've got a lot of work to do to re-energize our party."

On the recent death of a pet: "Rather than alienate the pro-pet constituency, I will remain silent about the loss of our ferret" (FNC, 4/3).

VEEP, VEEP

Lots of pols were on TV last night and lots of questions about being VP:

FL Gov. Charlie Crist (R), asked if he would accept the VP slot: "I am so honored to be the governor for these great people, you have no idea. And I'm working as hard as I can to do the very best I can for them, and that's my focus."

More: "Anything I can do to help Senator McCain, I want to make sure we deliver Florida for him. It's very important, and we're focused on that."

FNC's Van Susteren: "You're a lawyer, so that was not a 'no.'"

Crist: "You're a lawyer, too" ("On the Record," FNC, 4/3).

Rudy Giuliani, asked if he would accept the VP nod: "I will give you the same answer that I will give when I was asked that who would you pick as vice president? Who knows? I don't know. I don't know what my answer would be. It's no something you seek. John has a number of terrific choices in our party for vice president and shouldn't make that choice until June or July when you get closer to it."

More Giuliani: "Anybody who is president of the United States or going to be president asks you to do something for them, you would think very seriously about it. I'm not a candidate for it" ("Hannity & Colmes," FNC, 4/3).

Mitt Romney, asked if he was running for VP: "No. I don't think that's very likely, frankly. I make the appearances which the McCain campaign asks me to make" ("Situation Room," CNN, 4/3).

Sen. John Kerry (D-MA), asked since he considered McCain as a VP if he's on McCain's VP list: "I'm confident I am not" ("Situation Room," CNN, 4/3).