A hall full of the area’s most notable Democrats clapped with joy over the announcement of Sen. Barack Obama’s vice-presidential pick Friday night.

They learned that same evening the applause was premature.

“I have to correct the record a little bit ... It hasn’t been officially announced by the campaign. It’s not official,” Max Stahl, deputy regional field director in Northwest Missouri for the Obama Campaign for Change, repeated to the crowd gathered at Callison Hall.

The enthusiastic announcement that U.S. Sen. Evan Bayh of Indiana had been selected for the Obama ticket came early during the Northwest Missouri Central Labor Council/Northwest Missouri Progressive Democrats’ annual dinner.

Mr. Stahl clarified to the rows of local officeholders and other Democrats that the Drudge Report had published a story pointing to Mr. Bayh, but that the campaign hadn’t yet released the candidate’s selection. The presidential hopeful is scheduled to release the news via text message to supporters today, day two of the annual barbecue.

Candidates in other races veered the rally back to issues closer to Missouri, where Democrats aim to reverse the Republican majority in the state House of Representatives and Senate.

Mark Sheehan, who’s challenging Rep. Dr. Rob Schaaf, R-St. Joseph, in the race for the 28th House District, called for an end to the state’s overuse of tax credits as a way to boost the economy.

“We want jobs as much as anybody, but we also think it’s just as important to worry about the health and well-being of working families ...,” said Mr. Sheehan, of St. Joseph. “You can be too friendly to businesses. It’s about time the Democrats come back.”

A candidate in the statewide race for attorney

general, Sen. Chris Koster, of Harrisonville, agreed that the Republican party — of which he used to be a member — needed to re-prioritize.

He criticized Gov. Matt Blunt’s administration for not giving equal weight to economic development, governing toward the general welfare and protecting Missouri’s voiceless citizens.

“You have to believe that you can walk and chew gum at the same time. You have to do all three things at the same time,” he said.

Mr. Koster, who described himself as the most liberal Republican senator in Jefferson City until he switched parties last year, won the Democratic primary by less than 800 votes. Challenger Rep. Margaret Donnelly, of St. Louis, has asked for a recount, which begins next week.

Other speakers included Rep. Ed Wildberger, D-St. Joseph, who is uncontested in this year’s election and Rick Oswald, of Langdon, Mo., who’s challenging Rep. Mike Thomson, R-Maryville. Rep. Sam Page, D-Creve Ceour, a lieutenant governor candidate, was scheduled to speak, but didn’t attend the event.

The dinner picks back up tonight, from 5 to 7 p.m. The lineup includes 6th Congressional District candidate Kay Barnes, state treasurer candidate Rep. Clint Zweifel, of Florissant, and others. Attorney General Jay Nixon also is touring rural Northwest Missouri after noon today, while Congressman Sam Graves serves as host to the 6th District Grand Ol’ Picnic Saturday in Cameron, Mo. For details, visit www.sjnp.net/news/blogs/politicalpunch.

Alyson E. Raletz can be reached

at alysonraletz@npgco.com.