It’s an odd sentiment — but perhaps one that should be expected in this hand-wringing, teeth-gnashing time.

I don’t know that I ever heard a gloomier picture painted that created more hope for me.

That was the reaction of Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe, after listening to a presentation made by the co-chairs of President Obama’s “debt commission.” (Scroll to the end of the article.)

And why was the Governor optimistic despite hearing the national debt being compared to “a cancer”? Because, according to the above-linked report, the bipartisan presenters of the message delivered it with “frankness.”

I doubt that’s enough to solve the problem — Matthew Yglesisas gives voice to the skeptics — but in an age of spin, frankness is a necessary starting point. Like all addicts, we have to first embrace (not just acknowledge but bear-hug) the reality that we have a serious problem.