Obama Tells Jay Leno He's Not Paying Attention to Republican Candidates Until Most Are 'Voted Off the Island

NBC has released clips of President Obama's  upcoming appearance on the “Tonight Show” with Jay Leno. In the excerpts below, Obama talks with Leno about Moammar Gadhafi's killing, the withdrawal of troops from Iraq, and his take on the GOP presidential field. According to Obama, he is not going to start paying attention to the Republican contenders until they've "narrowed it down to one or two"

In another clip featured below, when asked about GOP opposition to withdrawing U.S. troops from Iraq, Obama quips, "It's shocking that they opposed something I proposed."

The interview is set to air tonight at 11:35 p.m. EST.

Below is a partial transcript and video clips:

JAY LENO: It's good to have you back, sir. Of course, the big news this week, Gadhafi is dead. Rebel forces, killed by rebel forces. Your reaction? Your take on this?

THE PRESIDENT: Well, this is somebody who, for 40 years, has terrorized his country and supported terrorism. And he had an opportunity during the Arab spring to finally let loose of his grip on power and to peacefully transition into democracy. We gave him ample opportunity, and he wouldn't do it. And, obviously, you never like to see anybody come to the kind of end that he did, but I think it obviously sends a strong message around the world to dictators that -- people long to be free, and they need to respect the human rights and the universal aspirations of people.

...

JAY LENO: See, here's the problem. And the thing that angers me and I think a lot of Americans is I didn't like what they did to President Bush. I don't like when they do it to you. When Mitch McConnell says, "Our goal is to make this guy a one-time president." I mean, why -- does that anger you? How is that a goal? That doesn't help the --

THE PRESIDENT: Look, I think the things that folks across the country are most fed up with, whether you are a Democrat, Republican, Independent, is putting party ahead of country or putting the next election ahead of the next generation.

When asked if he watched the GOP debates, Obama told Leno, "I'm going to wait until everybody is voted off the island before.... Once they narrow it down to one or two, I'll start paying attention."

Below is a clip of Obama's reaction on the current Republican presidential field:

Below is clip of Obama's take on GOP opposition to withdrawl from Iraq:

Obama talks about Gadhafi:

Obama on Halloween: