Carolyn Kaster/AP
President Obama schmoozes with Jimmy Fallon on Tuesday.
President Obama yukked it up on NBCs Late Night with Jimmy Fallon early Wednesday, joking about his hairstyle and favorite comedy in hopes of winning over young voters in his fight with Mitt Romney.
The President had good reason to be in a chipper mood, he was set to secure the 2,778 delegates needed to get the partys nod for a second term during voting Tuesday in New York and a handful of other states.
Romney, the Republican front-runner, was also ready to put a stranglehold on the GOP nomination.
Romney, according to most polls, was expected to coast to primary victories in the Empire State, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Delaware, bringing an effective end to the GOP primary battle amid light voter turnout.
As Romney and Obama transitioned into general election mode, the President pushed a plan to lower interest rates on college loans at the University of North Carolina before taking the couch next to Fallon a popular comic with students and young adults.
Obama riffe d on the generation gap with his target audience, revealing that one of his favorite movies is older than many of the students his loan plan would help.
Ill date myself when people ask me what kind of comedies I like, Ill say Groundhog Day, Obama said of the 1993 film starring Bill Murray. I dont get a chance to watch a lot of TV.
The President, who poked fun at the afro he sported during his own college days, took the stage to participate in one of Fallons signature bits, slow-jamming the news.
As Fallons house band, The Roots, laid down a bluesy groove and sang that Obama was the POTUS with the Most-est, the President called on Congress to prevent rates from doubling on some 7.4 million student loans.
Obama argued that if the legislation expired, most loan recipients would be about $ 1,000 deeper in debt a situation he found familiar.
We didnt finish paying off all of our student loans until about eight years ago, and Im President o f the United States, Obama said of himself and the first lady.
The appearance on Fallons show was the most high-profile yet of Obamas attempt to bolster his support among college students particularly in swing states.
The gabfest was taped in Chapel Hill, N.C, and after it was over, Obama bolted for a speech at the University of Colorado.
He is also scheduled to speak at the University of Iowa on Wednesday.
Although Obama trounced opponent John McCain among young voters in 2008, his campaign has worried that enthusiasm is flagging among that important demographic.
Obama will spar with another late-night comedian Saturday when Jimmy Kimmel hosts the White House Correspondents Dinner.
jlemire@nydailynews.com
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