With the primaries mere days away, city Democrats gathered Monday night for their annual spring confab at the Sheet Metal Workers Union Hall on Columbus Boulevard.

But as the festivities got underway, one topic was on the mind of those in attendance: The convictions in the City Hall corruption case. When it came to how much of a role Mayor John Street had in the whole thing, reactions were mixed.

"Aw, the mayor didn't know he was getting shafted from his buddies," said one ward leader. Meanwhile, a committeeman in his ward thought Street's behavior was inexcusable and that Street must have known that his friend Ron White was a bagman.

Another pol speculated that former City Treasurer Corey Kemp would spend time in a Martha Stewart-type federal pen. "But," the pol added, "he'll come out and become a consultant like they all do."

During the formal program, U.S. Rep. and Democratic Party Chairman Bob Brady looked somewhat embarrassed when 60 birthday cakes were presented to him onstage by Democratic officials and candidates. His 60th birthday, after all, was April 6. Brady didn't take the cakes home. Those that weren't given away were cut up for consumption by the 1,500 or so Democrats who paid $150 a ticket to hobnob, schmooze and generally revel in their citywide majority.

After the pastry frenzy subsided, Street briefly took the stage but spoke only of the importance of voter turnout. He quickly disappeared without elaborating further. The mayor's brother, Milton Street, however, was highly visible and made the rounds with Super Ducks owner Alfred Krawitz.

All of the endorsed candidates came up onstage to be recognized.

At the top of the ticket Tuesday will be the district attorney and city controller elections.

Incumbent District Attorney Lynne Abraham mingled with the partisan masses and even made some remarks on stage, while her opponent, Seth Williams, basking in the glow of his recent endorsement from the Inquirer editorial board, politicked from the floor.

Alan Butkovitz is the sole Democratic candidate for city controller since the Supreme Court removed John Braxton last week from the primary ballot after Butkovitz challenged his financial disclosure forms. Butkovitz attended with his consultant, Maurice Floyd, who is also helping Abraham. Floyd plays both sides of the fence: Last year he was a consultant for the successful re-election campaign of U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter.

Judicial candidates were in abundance and papered the room with their campaign literature. Some of the female candidates must have hired stylists for their pictures because you wouldn't recognize them from their flyers in a million years. With their hair perfectly coifed and just the right touch of makeup, these women looked like they were posing for the cover of Vogue and not for the bench. Yes, candidates will do anything to stand out, as long as people remember to pull their lever.

Lawyers Larry and Jim DeMarco, of the aptly named firm DeMarco & DeMarco, agreed that this judicial primary will be driven by party insiders since most of the voting public is clueless on the candidates. Larry DeMarco, a crime victim's attorney, said he is supporting Walter Olszewski for Common Pleas Court because Olszewski is a child advocate. Jim DeMarco, legal counsel to City Council President Anna Verna, said he will follow the endorsed judicial ticket and added that he is involved with a fundraiser by young professionals next month for Bob Casey Jr. 's U.S. Senate campaign.

Other than Council President Verna, it appeared there was a lack of City Council members at the event. Must be because it's an off year for them.

Former City Councilman Leland Beloff made the scene with his wife, Diane. Beloff, an ex-boxer, wants to get back into South Philly politics and is active in Ward 39B there.

Jeffrey Brooks, president of Local 234 of the Transport Workers Union, representing SEPTA workers, and Joe Coccio, the union's secretary-treasurer, were both there to support candidates who actively support labor.

Coccio said his union, with its 5,188 members, has now opened up to Republicans; it has elected its first Republican COPE director, Randy Robinson.

SEPTA and the union have until June 15 to strike a deal and avoid a transit strike. The union wants SEPTA to continue paying its workers' benefits while Coccio says that union members don't have great benefits anyway and have not had a cost of living wage increase in many years.

Coccio added that Gov. Ed Rendell hasn't helped the union either, and agrees with what some of the 2006 Republican gubernatorial candidates are proposing — that transportation has to be examined on a statewide level.