San Francisco - The wine was flowing, the band was blaring, and on the dance floor a Brazilian lady was showing off her sexiest samba moves with all the gusto of performer on the Copacabana beachfront.

But this was no carnival in Rio.

Rather, it was a fundraising event for Barack Obama where hundreds of ordinary Americans splashed out to support the Democratic candidate in his bid for the White House.

The event raised more than 10,000 dollars, which each of the hundreds of invitees asked to donate at least 50 dollars. It was a far cry from another recent fundraising party in California, where Hollywood stars including Leonardo DiCaprio, Barbra Streisand, Steven Spielberg and Will Smith paid 28,500 dollars a head, raising more than 9 million dollars for the campaign.

But each according to their means and abilities - and Obama's tremendous fundraising success has been built more on the efforts and contributions of millions of average supporters than the largesse of billionaire backers.

In the latest month for which figures are available, Obama raised 66 million dollars in August, much of which came from more than 500,000 new donors each chipping in 200 dollars or less, the campaign said. These small donors, who contributed mainly over the internet, were responsible for 22 million dollars of the August fundraising.

"I want to do more than just vote," said Stephanie Cash, who attended the Samba for Obama.

The university employee handed over a 200-dollar cheque and filled out a donation form before stepping into the restaurant and bar where the music was blaring.

"This seems like the perfect idea because we are raising money, meeting fellow supporters and having a great time," she said. "I have never felt this good about politics."

Like many others attending the party, she had expected the music to be interrupted by the usual political exhortations - but the only political chat was taking place on an outdoor patio where groups of people were making jokes about Sarah Palin, the Republican vice presidential nominee.

But event organizer Jeannie Le Page, who works for the local council and is the mother of two teenagers, did find time to explain her motivation.

"I was so frustrated about how little we could actually do for Obama here in California," said Le Page, with Democrats enjoying a 20-point lead in the country's most populous state.

"Plus, I love a party and am so excited about Barack Obama and what it means for our country. So I contacted the local Obama campaign, and they were like, 'Sure, we can even donate some wine that was left over from a previous event.'"

There was no doubt that the celebratory air was due to more than the free-flowing wine and infectious Brazilian music.

Coming with polls showing Obama widening his lead nationally and in key states, there was a mix of relief and optimism among partygoers who just a few weeks earlier had been spooked by the meteoric rise of Palin.

"That was a shock to the system. I couldn't believe that a candidate like that could have a chance, especially in times like these," said schoolteacher Jessica Powell. "But Barack has been so sharp and smart. I think he will win in a landslide."

It also transpired that the Samba for Obama event wasn't just a feelgood fundraiser. As the evening drew to a close, participants began signing up for a new mission: car-pooling to the neighbouring battleground state of Nevada to help the Obama organization on election day. (dpa)