The Missouri Democratic Party held their fund-raiser, the Jefferson-Jackson Dinner, Saturday night at the Renaissance Grand Hotel in downtown St. Louis.

Dem politicos and their friends and family were crammed into the venue due to a sudden switch from America’s Center to the hotel due to a union dispute. It was settled late last week, but it was too late for JJ, so over-flowing tables were set up in the hallway and the dining room was wall-to-wall packed with candidates, legendary Missouri Democrats and current individuals running for office.

The event honored distinguished party members former US Senator and wife of deceased Missouri Governor Mel Carnahan, Jean Carnahan, former US Congressman William Clay, Sr. and former US Congressman and Democratic presidential candidate Dick Gephardt.

Also in attendance were current US Senator Claire McCaskill, Rep. William Lacy Clay, Jr., state senate candidate Rodney Hubbard, state senate candidate Connie Johnson, state rep. candidate Mike Roberts Jr., City License Collector Mike McMillan, governor candidate Jay Nixon as well as hundreds of others, from party leaders, like Party Chairman John Temporiti to numerous party operatives.

PubDef was invited to the event by Missouri Democratic Party Exec. Ken Franklin.

Gehpardt kicked off things with a thumping speech that exalted Democrats and bashed Republicans, especially the current president.

And the barbs didn’t stop there. Sen. McCaskill peppered her speech with a series of old age jokes about Republican presidential candidate John McCain. And Carnahan, Clay Sr., Nixon and State Auditor Susan Montee all had terse words for the opposition while praising Missouri Dems. and predicting success statewide and nationally.

In an unscientific count by PubDef, the number of Democrats wearing Obama buttons versus Clinton buttons was near 3-to-1. Most attendees simply wore party emblems and pins, but for those who did don a pro-presidential candidate button or sticker, Obama was the clear winner.