Biden tells Leno U.S. didn't get raw deal in spy swap
Vice President Joe Biden had to convince a skeptical Jay Leno that the United States didn't get a raw deal from Russia in the biggest spy swap since the Cold War.
Leno asked Biden during a taping of "The Tonight Show" Friday why the United States was sending 10 accused spies back to Russia while getting four in return, The Associated Press reports. "That doesn't seem fair," Leno said.
"We got back four really good ones," Biden reassured Leno. "And the 10, they've been here a long time, but they hadn't done much."
Leno then showed a sultry photo of alleged Russian spy Anna Chapman and asked: "Do we have any spies that hot?" Biden's reply, in a mock-serious tone: "It was not my idea to send her back."
The vice president also said he had one more suggestion for the deal that was ignored. "I thought they'd take Rush Limbaugh," he said.
The spy exchange took place earlier Friday on an airport tarmac in Vienna.
Biden opened the show in a comedy bit with Leno. It was his first appearance since taking office in January 2009. Leno jabbed Biden for his very public gaffes, pointing out an open-microphone expletive Biden uttered when President Barack Obama signed health care legislation in April. Biden said he warned Obama before taking the job. "I told the president two things when he asked me to do the job," Biden said. "I said, 'Just two conditions, Mr. President. I'm not going to wear any funny hats, and I'm not changing my brand.' And I kept my promise."
Biden went on to demonstrate that speaking style when Leno asked him who would win today's World Cup final. "I think the Netherlands are going to win, but what the hell do I know?" he said. "I thought LeBron was going to stay."
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