Obama rings in his 47th in style

The ultimate 47th birthday present for Barack Obama would be a double-digit lead in national polls. Or, say, a major gaffe by John McCain. Or, even better, a coveted "red" state in the fall.

"I asked Barack what he wanted for his birthday, and he said just three things: Indiana, Colorado, and Virginia. That's it," Senator John Kerry told revelers tonight at the State Room in downtown Boston, where Obama is celebrating his day. (And raising a little coin. Actually, a lot of coin -- to the tune of some $5 million.)

But Obama had to settle for a little less than battleground states tonight. Though, to be sure, his pile of gifts was nothing to sniff at, starting with the fund-raising haul. In addition, Harry Connick Jr. and his 9-year-old daughter, Kate, came into town to sing him "Happy Birthday." Supporters also presented him with a Red Sox-themed Hawaiian shirt, for use on his vacation next week in Honolulu.

"I gotta say that, as a White Sox fan, this hurts a little bit, particularly because we've been losing lately," Obama said. "But it is a very attractive shirt, I must say."

There was also a birthday cake -- from afar, it looked like a two-tiered chocolate cake with white icing -- with a big "47" sticking out of it. And, to top it all off, Boston Philharmonic conductor Benjamin Zander, apparently unsatisfied with Connick's rendition, led the 850 people at tonight's reception in another refrain of "Happy Birthday."

"I don't want to let this go without a really rousing performance," he said. "Whether he becomes the president depends on how we sing today."

Obama flashed a wide smile. If only it were that easy.