Obama Chats With Leno Before Departing L.A.

President Barack Obama wrapped up a roughly 20-hour visit to the Southland today with a visit to "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno'' and some first-hand experience with Los Angeles freeway traffic.

Obama's arrival at NBC studios in Burbank was slightly delayed because of rush-hour traffic that slowed the presidential motorcade as it made its way from West Los Angeles.

As a result, Obama's scheduled 11:45 a.m. departure from Los Angeles International Airport was pushed back until about noon, when Air Force One took off en route to San Francisco. The president will end his day in Denver.

Obama's visit to "The Tonight Show'' was his second since taking office.

His "Tonight'' visit on March 19, 2009 -- the first by a sitting president -- is best remembered for a moment of intended self-deprecation that turned into gaffe when he commented that his bowling score of 129 out of a possible maximum of 300 "was like Special Olympics, or something.'' Before the episode aired, Obama called Special Olympics Chairman Timothy Shriver to apologize for the implied disparagement of the disabled.

On Monday, the president told supporters who paid $35,800 each to attend a fundraiser at the Hancock Park home of movie producer James Lassiter and his wife, Mia, that "this election will not be as sexy as the first one.''

"Back then, it was still fresh and new,'' Obama said. "I didn't have any gray hair. Everybody loved the "Hope' posters and all that.

"This time, we've got to grind it out a little bit. We've got to grind it out. But the cause is the same. And my passion is the same. And my commitment is the same.''

With actor Will Smith, who starred in Lassiter's film "Hitch,'' and retired basketball legend Magic Johnson among the approximately 35 people in attendance, Obama discussed the mortgage refinance program he announced earlier Monday in Las Vegas, saying that with homeowners able to refinance at lower rates, they would have more money to "shop, go to Will's movies'' and patronize Johnson's businesses.

Obama fielded questions from the crowd, then went to the nearby home of Antonio Banderas and Melanie Griffith for a fundraiser organized by the Futuro Fund, a group of Latino Obama supporters from across the nation, to benefit his re-election campaign and the Democratic National Committee.

"Desperate Housewives'' star Eva Longoria, a co-host of the event, introduced Obama by saying that he "speaks to the Latino community because he knows he's the president of all Americans.''

Addressing about 200 people, Obama listed his accomplishments, then added, "but we've got much work left to do.''

Obama said he keeps a checklist in his desk and that he has accomplished "about 60 percent'' of his goals.

"I'm pretty confident we can get the next 40 percent done in the next five years,'' Obama said.

Tickets for the event ranged from $5,000 to $35,800. The upper price was determined by the contribution limits of $2,500 for a primary campaign, $2,500 for a general election campaign and $30,800 for a national party committee.

Earlier Monday, before the fundraiser at Lassiter's home, Obama stopped at Roscoe's House of Chicken 'n Waffles in the Mid-City area.

"When he came through the door, everybody yelled "Four more years,''' restaurant manager David Daviston told KCAL9.

Obama was joined at the counter by Rep. Karen Bass, D-Los Angeles, and ordered for himself and several aides. His take-out order included the No. 9 -- the "Country Boy'' -- which consists of three wings, with the choice of waffle, potato salad or French fries.

Obama greeted the diners in each booth, shaking hands and posing for pictures.

"I was very nervous, but once he started talking to me, I wasn't nervous at all. He made me feel comfortable,'' Tia Davis, who served Obama, told KCAL9. "I really feel blessed. I wasn't going to come into work today.''

This was Obama's eighth visit to the Los Angeles area since being elected president. He has spoken at political fundraisers during all but his first visit. Of the eight trips, this is the third on which the schedule included an event other than a fundraiser.