In the mid 1970s, the United States was recovering from having a leader resign under disgrace. The economy was in bad shape and President Ford introduced buttons say ‘WIN’ for Whip Inflation Now. Many people turned the buttons over to get ‘NIM’, No Immediate Miracles’. Turning around an economy is hard work that won’t be accomplished overnight with a nice button.

I went to the Bridgeport Gubernatorial debate on Tuesday night, hoping that Mayor DeStefano would provide remarks that would demonstrate clearly to everyone why he is the best candidate. However, campaigns, like the economy don’t meet their goals overnight with a few nice buttons.

Mayor DeStefano and Mayor Malloy both presented their visions a better Connecticut. They have both made their cities better. They both want do improve the economy by addressing issues of education, health care, better transportation, more affordable housing, and so on. They both have compelling stories about growing up in families that want their children to succeed and talked about how the Rowland and Rell administration has made that more difficult.

I am know that we DeStefano supporters saw the debate as a clear victory for Mayor DeStefano but I imagine that the Malloy supporters would try to claim a victory for their man. However, neither candidate will win the election solely on Tuesday’s debate.

So, what was the most important point from the debates? Neither candidate won wild applause by announcing that they liked kittens. Instead they talked about policies and their approach to solving the problems that face our state, such as being 43rd in job creation.

Connecticut continues to lose jobs under the Rowland and Rell watch, and the Republicans have won the last four Gubernatorial elections. It is hard to be optimistic facing such a situation. However, Mayor DeStefano spoke first and one of the first things he spoke about was his optimism. Later, Mayor Malloy declared that he too, was an optimist, as did one of the city council members from Bridgeport when he asked a question.

As I travel around, I am finding that people are seeking honest, authentic candidates that exude optimism. Mayor DeStefano urges us to ‘expect more’. Deval Patrick up in Massachusetts encourages his supporters to ‘believe again’. Governor Dean told his supporters that they have the power and spoke about the importance of campaigns based on hope, not fear.

In a recent discussion, a friend talked about ‘learned helplessness’ and how it relates to depression. We spoke about how so much of politics over the past couple decades have been politics of learned helplessness. It has depressed voter turnout. It has depressed participation in the political process. The helplessness has become hopelessness for too many people.

The message of hope, of optimism, of expecting more and working hard to achieve it is a message people long for. It is a message that led to DeStefano supporters having the most visible presence at the debate. It is a message that we all need.

Catch the contagion of optimism, become active participants in the political process. We need to expect more of our leaders and of ourselves.