John McCain and Jay Leno, April 13

Jay Leno is once again embracing John McCain. He's back to being a hero in Leno's eyes. He's a great American again.

Like his colleagues, Leno trashed McCain during the presidential campaign.

When he was running for president, McCain strayed from that less than conservative persona that made McCain every Hollywood lib's favorite Republican. But Leno has forgiven McCain.

Leno has renewed McCain's special status, no longer the punch line. The jokes about being old no longer are at McCain's expense. With Obama in the White House and McCain the loser, Larry King serves as the dinosaur now.

McCain was Leno's guest on The Tonight Show on Monday.

Leno spoke glowingly of McCain when he introduced him. He said he's proud to call him his friend.

During the campaign, with friends like Leno, McCain didn't need enemies.

Of course, they talked about the Navy SEALs and the hostage crisis involving Capt. Richard Phillips and the Somali pirates.

Before beginning, McCain interrupted to thank Leno for doing his free shows for the people in the Detroit area.

Good for Leno.

Back to the pirates--

Leno said that Obama acted quickly. He asked McCain if that was the "right thing to do." Clearly, Leno was claiming the victory for Obama, considering him responsible for the success of the rescue mission.

McCain went beyond talking about the safe return of Capt. Phillips, saying we need to take action against the piracy and lawlessness in that region of the world.

Then, Leno asked an absolutley idiotic question.

He asked McCain if Phillips' situation was similar to his as a P.O.W. in Vietnam.

McCain was imprisoned for over five years. He was beaten and brutalized and starved -- for years!

That's sick. I bet Phillips would be embarrassed by the comparison.

McCain commented on Phillips' bravery but didn't directly address Leno's stupid question.

Something new-- McCain is on Twitter.

He said he was ranked in the top ten. (I'm afraid he's dropped down a bit. He's at 30.)

His daughter Meghan helped him get into it. McCain said it's a great way to get an immediate response from people.

After that, Leno moved on to Rush Limbaugh, the man the Left loves to hate, the demon du jour. He asked Rush Limbaugh is running the Republican Party

McCain didn't say no, but he said, "We have a lot of voices out there."

Leno kept talking about Limbaugh a bit longer, bringing up Michael Steele and that dustup.

Leno said he doesn't see the Republican Party coming up with a lot of positive stuff. He said it's just offering negativity. (I think Chris Matthews wrote the questions for Leno to ask McCain.)

McCain countered that the Republicans are offering alternatives.

One notable quote--

McCain said, "I want the president to succeed."

Speaking about the supposed new era of bipartisanship, Leno asked if Nancy Pelosi is a polarizing figure.

McCain smiled. Leno said that he knows that's a "yes" smile.

Leno asked if McCain supports the Tea Party Movement.

McCain said he does because we don't need to have our taxes raised.

On the housing crisis--

We haven't seen the end of it.

On Cindy McCain being on Dancing with the Stars--

She was asked to be on, but she won't be appearing.

McCain said she's had two knee replacements. Leno joked that there was a one-legged chick on the show before. Knee replacements are no excuse.

On Election 2008--

McCain said that everywhere he goes people tell him, "I voted for you." People never tell him they didn't.

Based on that, McCain said, "I think I should demand a recount."

That was the end of the interview. Leno said, "I think you're a terrific guy."

During the campaign, Leno didn't treat McCain like a terrific guy at all. He was relentlessly vicious.

Now, Leno tells McCain he's a terrific guy.

Right.