Hollywood comes out for Kerry

[T_i_B]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uselections2004/story/0,13918,1184818,00.html

In a two-day sweep through California, including events in the state capital Sacramento and a lunch in San Diego, the Kerry campaign raised a figure approaching $6m (£3.2m).

The Hollywood reception alone attracted 1,500 people, twice the number originally expected. They each paid $1,000 for a ticket, and then made a donation, typically of $2,000.

The more they paid, the closer they got to the candidate at the party hosted by a local supermarket mogul, Ron Burkle. "People who had raised a substantial amount had a private reception inside the home," said the political consultant Donna Bojarsky, who attended the event. "The other attendees had a buffet outside the home. Most of the celebrities paid. Some were inside the house, but a few were outside."

"It's the easiest fundraising in a long time," says Ms Bojarsky. "People commented on how much enthusiasm there was. It's been a long time since we've had that sort of energy."