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SY: So you really, though, given all of this, the self interest in politics and the kinds of things that go on, you still would advocate people getting... I mean, what kind advice would give to people who are wanting to go into that, into that field? What would you, what would you say to them to encourage them to continue in this?

GN: Well, it's important that you do the right thing.

SY: Being what you believe in.

GN: Yeah.

SY: And not be swayed by what everybody else is...

GN: Well, unfortunately many, many people are swayed by what personally benefits them.

SY: And you try very hard not to be.

GN: There's self-serving opportunists. There are a lot of them.

SY: And that's, that's something you've consciously tried not to do.

GN: Yeah, absolutely.

SY: And you also, though, are involved in helping people run for office, right?

GN: Yes. And you can't always determine whether that person has those values or not, and many times it isn't until after they are in a position of power that you find out about their values or lack of values.

SY: So, but if, let's take Asian American potential candidates, do you, is there anything specific to them that you would advise to try to get them to, or to give them some direction in running? Or do you just, you base it all on your own experience?

GN: I have to base it on, most of those on my own experience.

SY: And you continue to do that with people who are running for office. That's great. So after the state senate and the loss, then did you make a conscious decision, "That's it for me, I'm not doing politics anymore"? Or what, what was your reaction to that?

GN: Well, part of it had to do with my discussion with Helen, because she, we also spent a lot of personal money in this last race, and as you get older you can't be taking those kind of chances. And so...

SY: Yeah.

<End Segment 17> - Copyright © 2011 Densho. All Rights Reserved.