Fifteen minutes with Margaret Cho? So little time to ask all we want to know about the seemingly complex comic.

She's outspoken about her beliefs on stage, yet vulnerable in her comedy and personal demeanor. Talking with her was like chatting with the shy girl in class who finally takes a chance to speak her mind.

She got married in 2003, yet she's bisexual (though her publicity rep tells us, "Well, she doesn't really do that anymore.")

Talk about a dichotomy of personalities.

The quirky complexity took Cho, 36, to new heights in 1999 with the acclaimed I'm the One That I Want. The stand-up show managed to be funny while remaining transparently personal about sexuality, body image and racial stereotypes. Three more well-received tours followed.

Cho brings her latest, Assassin, to the Majestic Theater this weekend. And in our precious few moments on the phone, she told us ... well, we'll let her tell you.

Q: How have you changed since I'm the One That I Want?

A: At first, I didn't really know what to write about other than my own experiences. Now, I've branched out in looking at the world, and I feel confident enough about my ability to comment on politics and the way things are. When you're a minority and you're working as a writer-performer, you sort of feel like sometimes those elite positions where you're giving your opinion out are not supposed to be for you. But after a while, you get really tired of talking about yourself.

Q: Tell me about Assassin.

A: This show is all politics. I talk a lot about recent events and what's affecting the public. It's also a re-examination of the way things are politically at the moment. It's harder than it's ever been for people who are progressive or liberal to get their message across and get their voices heard. The show is a combination of politics and pop.

Q: Why the name Assassin?

A: For me, it is a '70s sensibility of various grassroots movements coming forward to take control back from what they called "the man" or "the establishment." I thought, "What could be the most offensive or provocative or scary title for a show right now?" and that probably would be it.

Q: With all that's going on – the Terri Schiavo case, baseball and steroids, religion and political policy, troops in Iraq, is it difficult to make people laugh?

A: When we have these kinds of eras, it's important to laugh. That's the only way to retain a sense of hope and a sense that there's going to be a tomorrow, and perspective that we can move out of feeling sorry for ourselves and move into looking for a solution.

Q: Since you're going to be in Texas, a red state and home of the president, will you pack more punch in your Dallas show?

A: There is such a need for a different voice there ... such a desire for a change. It makes being there a lot more valuable.

Q: Some of your fans have asked you to run for president. What would be different about our country if you did and won?

A: We wouldn't be at war. We would not be at odds with the rest of the world. There wouldn't be these problems with trade and communication. Our image would be a lot nicer. I would move toward peace and realizing the dream of democracy.

Q: What does it say about society when people like you are asked to run for public office?

A: They probably need a woman to come in and intervene.

Lori Price