Rewind: Flashing Back to Ashcroft-Carnahan 2000

"We will never let the fire go out"

John Ashcroft's endorsement of Roy Blunt Monday got The Notebook thinking about the epic 2000 contest when Ashcroft lost his seat to the late Gov. Mel Carnahan.

In a photo finish contest, saturated with emotion and muddled with allegations of voter fraud in St. Louis, Ashcroft gracefully conceded the race to Carnahan's wife. Former Sen. Jean Carnahan can be seen in the above KY3 video footage, voting with daughter Robin Carnahan -- now the Democratic candidate for Missouri's other U.S. Senate seat.

*CHECK OUT A MONTAGE OF THE 2000 FLASHBACK*

The death of Carnahan in a plane crash prompted Ashcroft to postpone campaigning for several days, something he contended "obviously hurt the campaign." On election night, Carnahan spoke to a gathering of supporters by phone from Rolla, pledging: "We will never let the fire go out."

Defying calls by many in the GOP to fight the seating of Carnahan's wife, Ashcroft conceded the race.

"I will not initiate any legal challnege," Ashcroft said. "I hope the outcome of this election is a matter of comfort for Mrs. Carnahan."

ALSO: About :52 seconds in, we believe we spot a bit younger Carnahan spokesman Tony Wyche (in the lower right hand of the screen) finishing a media interview.

Dems Move Jefferson-Jackson Dinner

The Missouri State Democratic party is moving the location for its annual Jefferson-Jackson dinner in St. Louis due to a labor dispute.

The dinner, which features the party's top stars and serves as a pep rally for the party, was originally set to be held at America's Center. Now it will be held at the Renaissance Grand Hotel, just across the street in downtown St. Louis.

"As Democrats, we take pride in our commitment to working families. When workers are standing up for their rights, we're standing right there with them. So, as a show of respect for the union workers currently engaged in a labor dispute at America's Center in St. Louis, the Missouri Democratic Party has made the decision to change the location of its annual Jefferson-Jackson Dinner," said state chairman John Temporiti in a statement Tuesday.

Time and date remain the same. April 5th at 5 p.m. It's $125 a person to attend.

Senator Jean Carnahan, Congressman Dick Gephardt and Congressman Bill Clay will headline the event.