GEORGE CLOONEY - HOLLYWOOD STARS GET POLITICAL

HOLLYWOOD STARS GET POLITICAL

Hollywood stars including George Clooney have lent their support to the presidential campaign of Illinois senator Barack Obama.

A total of $1.3 million (£667,000) was raised following a lavish fundraising ceremony in Los Angeles. Cheques rolled in from actors including Eddie Murphy and Barbra Streisand.

The night was organised by three of Hollywood's biggest players; Dreamworks studio co-founders Steven Spielberg, David Geffen and Jeffrey Katzenberg.

During the night Mr Obama, who is one of six Democratic hopefuls for the presidential candidacy, told the audience of the star-studded event that they hold "enormous power" because of the impact of American culture.

"Don't sell yourselves short – you are the storytellers of our age," he said.

A private dinner was then held at the home of Geffen for people who had raised at least $46,000 (£23,590) for the evening.

Senator Obama announced his official intention to run for the Democratic 2008 presidential nomination on February 10th. Recent opinion polls show strong support for Obama, who is only the fifth African-American senator in US history.

A WNBC poll of Democrats and Democratic leaders placed him second in the running behind Hillary Clinton.