I've been lucky enough in 'The West Wing' and 'Brothers & Sisters' to talk about the issues that are important to me with none of the awful mud-slinging or public scrutiny you have in politics.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
I've been in politics now for long enough to not worry about what others are saying, but instead to talk about what I believe.
What's gratifying about West Wing is that everybody told us that it couldn't be done - that the man or woman on the street didn't care about politics. But if you set things up correctly, people don't have a problem with it.
My close proximity to many of the newsmakers can give me a different perspective about people in politics and what they might say than others who don't know them.
I grew up in a family in which political issues were often discussed, and debated intensely.
I think I brush the surface of being involved politically with the issues and the personalities in the news.
There's a couple things you don't talk about in life, and that's race, religion and politics. I try to make sure I don't talk about politics at all.
For Democrats, nothing is any less complex than a 'West Wing' episode.
Throughout my political life, I've not been a stranger to controversy.
I am so focused on the fact that the conversation doesn't address any of the things I think are important. I think our political dialogue in America is distorted and completely off track.
It's important to remember that, first and foremost, if not only, this is entertainment. 'The West Wing' isn't meant to be good for you.