Ron Paul and Jay Leno

The Tonight Show had an eclectic lineup of guests on Tuesday -- Tom Cruise, Ron Paul, and the Sex Pistols.

Tom Cruise is not a great talk show guest. He always seems uncomfortable to me.

With Ron Paul, it's a different story. I'm uncomfortable with him.

When he was introduced, the audience cheered. The band of Paul supporters were out in force.

Leno began the interview talking about Paul's past jobs.

As a doctor, he delivered 4000 babies.

Paul said he spent five years in the Air Force as a flight surgeon.

Leno said he was in two noble professions. He asked how Paul got in the "sleazy one."

Paul babbled about being fascinated by economics and that led to his political career.

Paul said he's always been a Republican. He just took "a break" for a year when he ran for president as a libertarian.

Explaining his popularity in spite of being way out of the top tier of candidates, Paul said, "My views are very popular."

"Young people love it."

On the subject of taxes, Paul said he wants a flat tax.

"I wanna make it real flat, like zero."

On Iraq, Paul said he wants to get out now and bring the troops home.

"I mean it was a mistake to go in. We shouldn't have gone in. We didn't go in properly."

"Our national defense is in shambles."

"Our troops are disenchanted. The troops are complaining."

"I actually think we're more vulnerable for another attack under the conditions today than we were even before 9/11."

With the War on Terrorism, "our greatest threat is the threat to our civil liberties here at home."

He doesn't sound like a Republican on that issue, not even remotely.

Paul talked about his supporters and the Internet's impact on his campaign.

He said, "The message is powerful."

Paul said, "I have shortcomings, but the message has no shortcomings."

Speaking of his chances for success in the '08 election, he added, "I would say, yes, there's probably a risk I could win."

The audience, packed with the Ron Paul groupies, went nuts.

Leno asked if he'd accept the VP spot.

He said to laughs from the audience that he probably wouldn't be offered.

No kidding. That's one of the most intelligent things I've heard Paul say.

On the subject of the VP spot on the ticket, he said, "It would be real hard for me to accept a vice presidency in an adminstration that endorsed everything I didn't believe in. I wouldn't be able to that."

Question: What is Paul doing running as a Republican?

Leno said he was impressed with the 72-year-old Paul and how he relates to young people.

Leno was a gracious host. He treated him with respect, which was nice.

It would have been nicer if Leno had asked Paul some tougher questions, challenging him on some of his loonier positions; but this is an entertainment show, not Meet the Press. I won't fault Leno for being kind to a senior citizen.

Speaking of senior citizens, the Sex Pistols were awful. "Anarchy in the UK" doesn't have the same edge when it's performed by such old guys. Their music doesn't work as a nostalgia act. It was sad.

Some legends lose their luster when they try to comeback.

"It's better to burn out than to fade away."

I guess the Sex Pistols have opted for fade away. Too bad.