The late night shows are at the forefront of this year's campaign, more especially in the past weeks. Ever since John McCain canceled on 'The Late Show' of David Letterman, the late evening comedy shows have taken a life of their own. McCain made headlines with that "screw up" and Letterman never let him forget it until he made amends more than a week ago. Sarah Palin is another late night favorite, from jokes about her (dis)qualification and interview blunders to Tina Fey's spot on impersonation that helped 'Saturday Night Live' get its biggest viewership ratings in the show's history. Now, in the closing week of the campaign, its the Democrats' turn, with Michelle Obama visiting Jay Leno's 'The Tonight Show' last night.

Wearing a yellow sweater over a blouse and skirt ensemble, the Democratic presidential candidate's wife was her husband's perfect emissary, talking casually with Jay Leno about the campaign and how their family is coping.

Asked by Jay Leno about the Palin 'wardrobe malfunction' controversy, the potential first lady declined to criticize GOP vice presidential hopeful Sarah Palin about revelations that the Republican National Committee spent $150,000 at Neiman Marcus and other high-end retailers on clothes and accessories for Palin and her family. She said she and her husband have a policy of spending their own money on their clothes but she said she wanted to be "empathetic."

"A VP pick, it's like being shot out of a cannon. All of a sudden you're at the center of attention, and you want to look good," said Michelle Obama, adding she has never met Palin. "You're living in your home, minding your business, and all of a sudden you're on the national stage and everyone's watching."

I read somewhere that Michelle Obama's solo appearance on the show at this stage of the campaign is a measure of the confidence the Democratic ticket is feeling about the closing days of the campaign. I hope it doesn't mean that they think she isn't a worthy representative of her husband, because she is. She was articulate and engaging, and possesses enough charisma to charm Jay Leno's millions of viewers. Heck, she was even better than McCain!

Michelle Obama on Jay Leno's 'Tonight Show' video: Part 1

Michelle Obama on Jay Leno's 'Tonight Show' video: Part 2

Update: Barack Obama has just been sworn in as the 44th President of the United States of America. Watch videos of Obama's inauguration and inaugural speech, or read the full transcript of the Obama inaugural address.

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