Last night's first 2006 Candidate Forum was so much fun.

Mayor DeStefano did a tremendous job making his speech and answering questions. Susan Bysiewicz didn't show up. So it was just our Mayor and Mayor Malloy.

After the speeches and the questions, people began wandering out, stopping at a DeStefano table to pick up materials about the campaign.

They were excited. 

I asked one woman on the Democratic Town Committee what she thought. "I liked them. If I could pick it would be Mayor DeStefano, the Mayor from New Haven," she said.

"Why?" I asked.

"Because he is so real and authentic. It just seems like he means what he says. I trust him. And he is smart."

"Do you want to help us?" I asked.

"Yes," she said, without hesitating.

That was my favorite story from the night. 

25 supporters joined Mayor DeStefano. Last night made me feel excited--about our candidate, about our staff, about our team.