McCain to Discuss Abstinence in S.C.

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson talks about the progress of the 2007 Legislative Session during a news conference at the Capitol in Santa Fe, N.M., Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2007. (AP Photo/Jeff Geissler) (Jeff Geissler - AP)

"When you are just below the margin of error in polls, anything anybody says about you is important," Vilsack said Thursday on NBC's "Tonight Show."

In the show's opening skit, a security guard would not allow Vilsack on the set because he did not recognize him. Leno came to Vilsack's rescue and verified that he was a presidential candidate and the show's guest.

Though Leno often poked fun at Vilsack's relative obscurity in the presidential race, the former Iowa governor argued that his appearance with Leno will help his candidacy and distinguish him from the better-known candidates.

"I think any time you get an opportunity to be in front of a national audience, especially an opportunity to show an interesting life story, it's going to help," Vilsack told reporters during a conference call after the show's taping.

Leno ribbed Vilsack about having a small campaign staff and asked him how he would compete with candidates such as Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama.

"I saw your skeleton crew out there _ two guys and a Hertz rent a car. How's that work?" Leno asked.

"Well, I'm not a rock star," Vilsack replied, "I'm rock solid."

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Associated Press writers Henry C. Jackson in Des Moines, Iowa, Bob Lewis in Richmond, Va., and Andrew DeMillo in Little Rock, Ark., contributed to this report.