[img_assist|nid=584|title=Presumptive Democratic Nominee U.S. Sen. Barack Obama (Ill.)|desc=Getty Image|link=none|align=left|width=399|height=285]

BOSTON - Many of Boston's wealthiest Democrats gathered downtown Monday night to open their city and their pocketbooks to presumptive Democratic nominee Barack Obama on his 47th birthday.

The event, which raised money for the Obama Victory Fund, a joint account in which donors give both to Obama and the Democratic National Committee, was held in the ritzy State Room at 60 State Street. It began with a reception for 850 donors that have contributed $1,000 or more and then there was a smaller dinner for 250 people that have raised at least $15,000 per person or $28,500 per couple. The event raised almost $5 million dollars, making it the most successful political fundraiser ever held in Boston.

Several notable Massachusetts Democrats attended the event. U.S. Reps. Bill Delahunt (D-Quincy) and Edward Markey (D-Malden) were seen in the lobby, as was Boston Mayor Tom Menino and John Walsh, the chairman of the Massachusetts Democratic Party. Gov. Deval Patrick (D-Milton) and former Gov. Michael Dukakis also attended. U.S. Sen. John Kerry (D-Boston) arrived a little after 5 P.M.

The hundreds of supporters in suits and evening wear lined up in the late afternoon at the entrance to the building directly behind Government Center. About another hundred or so spectators milled around the entrance in front of several news vans.

Inside the event, Patrick spoke first to the decked out crowd. "Are you ready to win?" he asked. "Look at this crowd. Look at all these Obama mamas and Obama daddies. If you are like me you are hungry for a change in direction."

Patrick went on to say that although voters are discontented with the Republican Party, the Democrats have to do more to win this year.

"We have to offer not a case just for what's wrong with today," he said. "We have to offer a vision for what's right about tomorrow and how we can get there."

Kerry spoke next and, after discussing what Obama said he wanted for his birthday ("Indiana, Colorado and Virginia"), he tore into presumptive Republican nominee U.S. Sen. John McCain (Ariz.). McCain, Kerry said, is looking for a running mate who has more economic knowledge than he does. "Congratulations to all of you," he said, "You're on the short list."

Kerry also labeled McCain as "dangerous." "John McCain is still stuck on the low road express," he said. "He doesn't get it. He's even dangerous, I think, for the direction of this country."

After Kerry spoke, Harry Connick Jr., the entertainment for the evening, was joined by his nine year-old daughter to sing "Happy Birthday" to Obama.

Obama then had his turn behind the microphone, speaking for approximately 25 minutes. He opened some birthday presents, including a Hawaiian themed Red Sox shirt and then spoke about Patrick.

"Deval has inspired the state," he said. "He's inspired the nation. He's coming off one of the most productive legislative sessions in recent years."

Obama also thanked Kerry, Menino and Alan Solomont, his New England finance chairman.

The event was also intended to unite U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) supporters and Obama supporters in the Bay State. Clinton carried the Massachusetts primary by 15 percentage points. In his remarks, Obama called Clinton "one of the finest public servants we have in this country."

"We're now in the process of bringing the party together so we come out of that convention entirely unified and ready to take on the last leg of this journey," he said.

[img_assist|nid=585|title=The crowd outside the event|desc=Politicker Photo|link=none|align=left|width=400|height=300]Outside the building many proclaimed their support of Obama, but not all of them. A couple spectators held anti-Obama placards. One that read, "Obama says NO to drilling, YES to checking tire pressure," a dig at Obama's recent remarks suggesting that consumers would save as much oil by keeping their tires inflated as would be gained by drilling offshore. Massachusetts GOP spokesman Barney Keller was also at the event, handing out tire pressure gauges to bring attention to the remarks.

Robyn Miller was the lone Clinton protester outside. She identified herself as a "PUMA," which stands for "Party Unity My Ass." In particular, Miller protested the Democratic National Committee's decision on how to award Michigan's primary delegates.

"I was out on the streets the days after the 2000 election protesting the stolen votes then," said Miller, 49, referring to the voting controversy in Florida that year. "I would be a hypocrite not to protest this. You can't just take people's votes and hand them to people."

Miller held a bright yellow sign that read, "Selected Not Elected," and was quickly engulfed by Obama supporters. Lots of yelling ensued and one Obama supporter ripped her sign in half while another stood next to her holding a brown paper bag that had "IDIOT" written on it with an arrow pointing towards Miller.

By 7:30 P.M. though, the crowd outside has mostly dispersed. Menino left the fundraiser and said "Obama thanked everyone for their support." He also said that Obama mingled throughout the room, trying to take a moment to speak to every donor. The whole group took a picture together as well.

"It was very successful," Menino said.