Recently we scored an interview with porn-star-turned-political-candidate Melody Damayo. You may recall that Damayo, better known as “Mimi Miyagi,” is running for governor of Nevada — as a Republican, no less.

After her interview with us, Damayo consented to be appear on “The Situation” with Tucker Carlson (a friend of Wonkette, at least most of the time). Here’s a video clip:

We hope that you’ll be charmed, as we were, by the contrast between Damayo’s articulate expression of her views and her arresting attire. We’ve never seen nineteenth-century U.S. political history analyzed by someone with so much cleavage. Enjoy!

The Situation with Tucker Carlson [MSNBC]

Earlier: Prior Wonkette coverage of Melody Damayo (scroll down)

Last month, Wonkette enthusiastically endorsed Melody Damayo for governor of Nevada. Damayo, you may recall, is a former adult film actress, known to her fans as “Mimi Miyagi.” She’s now running — as a Republican — for the governorship of Nevada.

We are proud to report that we’ve scored an exclusive interview with Ms. Damayo. Here’s an excerpt:

Wonkette: Your path to political office is less than traditional — not many politicians have worked in the adult film industry. If elected, how would your experience in the adult film industry help you in your work as governor?

Damayo: It has given me much experience in dealing with the public, with a mature handling of patience. That is what many people in office I see especially [pay] heed to when dealing with vast numbers of people. PATIENCE.

Our full interview with Melody Damayo appears after the jump. We think you’ll be impressed by her thoughtful and articulate responses, just as we were.

Also, tonight Mimi will be appearing on The Situation with Tucker Carlson. It will air on MSNBC at 11 PM and again at 2 AM. Don’t miss it!

1. Why are you running for governor of Nevada? How did you come to this decision?

Honestly I’m a single mother who has concerns about our state. Nevada has come to unparalleled growth in the past decade. Our police force isn’t expanded enough either to support the ever growing number of people moving here, and with Nevada being on top of the list in the country as the most crime happening here. I believe many upgrades need to take place.

I want my daughter to grow up in a state that she can feel safe in as well as keep up a good education. Money Magazine has stated Nevada at the bottom of the pole [Ed. note: heheh] as far as education falls. It’s well at the number of around 460th. Teachers are leaving the state in numerous amounts. I want to bring balance into the state and its budget. Not by taxing those that are so called un-united voters such as entertainers. But by perhaps taxing by the vote of the people to fix the $704 million dollar deficit we have. I’ve run several successful companies.

My experience includes publishing a magazine, producing films, and I was even at the base root of the now thriving internet. The position in office as a Governor is to govern the state properly. With care and affection for the people. It is a leadership position, I’m well qualified for that, having been a CEO since 1993, and I was a mere teenager when I started the corporation.

2. Your career path has been extremely interesting, packed with diverse experiences. You’ve worked as a model, dancer, adult film star, magazine publisher, and small business owner, among other things. How has this background prepared you for the rough-and-tumble world of political campaigning?

Yes the world of politics has many people dismayed to believing them anymore. It has grown to becoming overshadowed by what people view full of greedy, slimy, bunch of liars. I want to bring politics back to what it was intended for. That is FOR THE PEOPLE. No more lies, just truth and an honest politician finally!

3. Your path to political office is less than traditional — not many politicians have worked in the adult film industry. If elected, how would your experience in the adult film industry help you in your work as governor?

It has given me much experience in dealing with the public with a mature handling of patience. That is what many people in office I see especially heed to when dealing with vast numbers of people. PATIENCE.

4. You were a trailblazer for Asian-American women in the adult film industry, and you’re also one of the most famous Filipino-Americans in the United States. How does your Asian- and Filipino-American heritage inform your political views (if at all)?

Growing up in the United States, and seeing on the news as a child of how the Marcoses stole from their country, made me want to veer in completely the opposite direction of their selfishness. I am about balance, peace and the health of the state.

5. Another prominent female candidate for governor is the bodybuilding dominatrix Leola McConnell. Are you afraid of her?

NO.

6. Your website currently features a First Man Search. What’s this all about?

I have been single for the past 5 years pretty much. As an adult film star, sometimes it’s difficult to meet the right one. I figured if I at least get a feel of the person via an online application it would help me in my 1st man search dating experience.

7. Given your past as an adult film actress, many people probably have all sorts of preconceptions about you. If you could share one surprising fact about yourself, or dispel one myth or wrong assumption, what would it be?

That I don’t walk around the house in garter belts and stockings, stillettos 24/7.

8. What do you regard as the most serious issue facing the state of Nevada today, and how would you address it as governor?

Terrorism budget. The federal policy doesn’t allocate enough funds to cover even half of the growing amounts of people traveling in an out of the city of Las Vegas. Nor does it even look at the balance between the people moving into the state versus the tourists. I am concerned for the safety of the people, and the budget for fighting terrorism doesn’t expand to what is truely needed to protect the people visiting and living here.

9. As reflected in our endorsement, everyone at Wonkette is rooting for you in your quest for the Nevada governorship. In the event that you don’t win, however, what are your plans for the future? Would you perhaps consider making a bid for another office — like the presidency?

If immigrants were allowed to run for office, I might. But in the meanwhile, I would be fine accepting it, and continuing on my heavily packed tour and acting schedule this year.

Does she know her U.S. Constitution, or what? C’mon, people, let’s get Article II amended!

We thank Ms. Damayo for taking the time to answer our questions. We reiterate our endorsement of her candidacy, and wish her the best of luck in the election!

Mimi on TV: WED. JUNE 14 Tucker Carlson Show MSNBC [Mimi’s Diary]

Earlier: Official Wonkette Endorsement: Melody “Mimi Miyagi” Damayo More on Melody “Mimi Miyagi” Damayo 
Comment on this post http://www.wonkette.com/politics/interviews/wonkette-exclusive-melody-mimi-miyagi-damayo-bares-all-180668.php http://www.wonkette.com/politics/interviews/wonkette-exclusive-melody-mimi-miyagi-damayo-bares-all-180668.php interviews Wed, 14 Jun 2006 12:47:46 -0500

• Party with the gay Hoyas — and meet the Boi From Troy, in the flesh. [Boi From Troy]

• Party with the Filipinos — food, folk dances, and fun. [WP; PAFC]

• Party with the Canadians — Vancouver rockers Pink Mountaintops, at Warehouse Next Door. [DCist]

• And don’t forget to bitch about the Metro. The track work is never-ending. [ReadExpress]

Melody Damayo, a.k.a. “Mimi Miyagi.” Could she be America’s Cicciolina?

Following up on our earlier endorsement of Melody Damayo, we took a closer look at her campaign website. We obtained information that further underscores why Damayo is the right person to lead Nevada today.

• Her resume. Having served as a “webmistress,” Damayo has knowledge of the technology industry, a rapidly growing part of the Nevada economy. She has a strong law enforcement background, with certifications from the “Global School of Investigation” and “SCI.” And she’s a member of the NRA — that’s badass. She and Katy H. can go hunting together.

• Her biography. Damayo has the work ethic and perseverance that Nevada needs in its next governor:

Just a few weeks past her 18th birthday, she came across an ad for nude modeling and answered it. It was the beginning of her rise in the adult industry. Her journey was not without its challenges. When Mimi first started out in the industry, people told her repeatedly that there just wasn’t a market for Asian adult stars, but she refused to give up. Even though Mimi was always the least paid actress on the set, she struggled and continue knocking on studio producers doors. In the next 2 years, she became the most recognized Asian adult star around.

• Her platform. Her views on the issues are sensible and strong. You can check out some of them after the jump.

Come on, Nevada, you can do it. Lots of states have elected governors from non-traditional backgrounds. If California can elect Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Minnesota can elect Jesse Ventura, surely you can put Melody Damayo in the governor’s mansion!

Earlier: Official Wonkette Endorsement: Melody “Mimi Miyagi” Damayo

You can check out Damayo’s full platform here. Here are some excerpts:

HOMELAND SECURITY. Prior to 911, we were living in “la-la-land”. There is no doubt about it. Homeland security has no room for beauracracy. Imagine agencies that either could not or did not share information necessary to protect us. Are you kidding me? Think about our airline security prior to 911. It was absolutely unacceptable. I remember a friend of mine, who is a retired cop, telling me about his flight out of BWI the day before 911. He was trying to get some coins out of his pocket and the lady at the security post was yelling at him to “hurry up”… She felt he was holding up the line. He was rushed through like cattle. This was ridiculous, yet our national security experts knew what the terrorists wanted to do to this country….

A SOLDIERS’ VIEW ON MIMI. Written by Jonathan Gammon. Forget any preconceptions you may have about women with ridiculously large augmented breasts; this lady is brilliant. A self confessed “news junkie”; she is on top of all of the major issues that face Nevada, the country and the world today. She is thoughtful and insightful. Most importantly, she forms her own very defensible opinions on various issues independently… which honestly, is NOT something I can say about a lot of people that I have met over the years. She is running as a Republican, but don’t let this moniker fool you. To attempt to fit Ms. Damayo into a political pigeon-hole is folly. Her views range across the spectrum. If I were forced to give a description of her political alignment I would call her a moderate-conservative libertarian such as myself.

So she’s a libertarian — awesome. We enjoy nothing more than getting drunk with libertarians.

VOTE MIMI DAMAYO FOR GOVERNOR!

Forget the major labor unions, or the big conservative Christian groups. The official Wonkette endorsement is fast becoming the gold standard among stamps of approval. And this afternoon, we’re pleased to bestow it upon Melody Damayo, the former adult film actress now running for governor of Nevada.

Neither of us is related to her (although she is Filipino-American, like one of us). Nor are we familiar with Damayo’s cinematic oeuvre. But do we really need any more reason to endorse her? She’s a **** ing PORN STAR. Running for GOVERNOR OF NEVADA. As a REPUBLICAN. ‘Nuff said.

Just like Patrick Murphy, the last candidate we endorsed, Ms. Damayo knows how to manage the media. Consider how well she choreographed her campaign filing:

Melody Damayo, who performed under the name Mimi Miyagi in movies such as “Seoul Train,” appeared at the Sawyer Building downtown about 4:30 p.m. in a hot-pink pillbox hat, hot-pink high-heeled sandals and a very low-cut hot-pink suit. She was accompanied by an entourage she called her Campaign Cuties as well as two dark-suited bodyguards.

Damayo, who called herself the “former Asian Love Goddess,” filed to run for governor as a Republican, saying one of her priorities would be anti-stalking legislation. She added that she hoped to address youth and gang violence “so they don’t do it anymore.”

WOW. We haven’t seen a candidate this fantastic since Tom Malin ran for the Texas state legislature.

So, to all you Nevadans out there (all 12 of you): Vote Melody Damayo for Governor!!!

Update: More on Melody “Mimi Miyagi” Damayo

Mimi 4 Governor [Melody Demayo.net] [quasi-NSFW: probably won’t trigger your browser’s porn alarm, but could be highly embarrassing if your boss is around]
Filing Draws to a Close [Las Vegas Review-Journal]