Going around the news media: "Barack Obama to sit down with Jay Leno on NBC's 'Tonight Show'

NY Daily News:

President Obama is taking a seat on Jay Leno's couch later this week as part of his blitz to sell Main Street on his economic rescue.

Obama, who will appear on NBC's "Tonight Show" on Thursday during his two-day swing to California, is the first sitting President to go on such a program.

The format let Obama put a lighter spin on his message, an effort that was underway at the White House yesterday.

Obama announced a $15 billion Small Business Administration program aimed at unfreezing credit markets, increasing loan guarantees and easing small business taxes.

"Even though [small business owners] are maintaining profitable businesses, their credit lines are being pulled," Obama said, with Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner at his side.

Skittish banks were expected to start writing loans immediately, an administration official said.

There were no complaints about the plan from the GOP leadership or their powerful allies, like the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

"The small business owners who are struggling to gain capital and stay afloat were offered a helping hand by the President today," said Chamber President Tom Donohue, who was also in the audience at the White House.

Barack Obama