Obama taps Hollywood stars, small donors for fundraising

Barack Obama tapped Hollywood - a reliable Democratic source of big cash, glitz and glamor - then within hours sent a new appeal to his small-donor Internet base, promising a car magnet to those who send in at least $15 by Monday.

The fundraising gala on Tuesday in Los Angeles marked a push by Obama to shore up private funding for his race against Republican John McCain after the Democrat went back on a promise to use public money for his presidential race.

Obama's campaign repeated the candidate's explanation for that move in its yesterday morning appeal to Internet givers. By forgoing public funds, Obama would be able to raise and spend as much as he wants right up to the November election. McCain has labeled the Obama decision a McCain damaging reversal.