As the presidential campaign swings into primary season, candidates are courting Hollywood for holiday gifts of cash and support.

Last month, Democrat Wesley Clark held a 90-minute sit-down with Madonna and her friends at the pop superstar's Los Angeles home. Clark later met with Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck at a fundraiser featuring The Eagles. On Wednesday, the retired general heads to New York for an event dubbed "Late Night With Wesley Clark," featuring comedian and liberal pundit Al Franken.

Tonight, actor/director Rob Reiner hosts a celebrity-style roast for Democrat Howard Dean in New York. On Dec. 14, David Crosby, Bonnie Raitt and Phoebe Snow will perform at a San Francisco concert to raise cash for Dean's coffers. The next day, Dean heads to the L.A. House of Blues for a concert by Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and The Bangles.

Celebrity political donors Donor: Ben Affleck Candidate: Dennis Kucinich Gift: $1,000 Donor: Jerry Seinfeld Candidate: John Kerry Gift: $2,000 Donor: Barbra Streisand Candidates: Wesley Clark, Howard Dean, John Edwards, Richard Gephardt, Kerry, Al Sharpton Gift: $1,000 each Donor: Bonnie Raitt Candidate: Dean, $500, Kucinich, $1,500 Donor: Jerry Stiller Candidate: Joe Lieberman Gift: $2,000 Donor: Paul Newman Candidate: Dean Gift: $1,000

Crooner Tony Bennett will perform at two New York fundraisers Thursday for Democrat Richard Gephardt.

"Having the endorsement of somebody like Madonna is a sign that the candidate is exciting," says Matt Bennett, director of communications for the Clark campaign.

But it takes more than just deep pockets, Reiner says. "Unless a celebrity wants to steep themselves in an issue to move the agenda forward, the most a celebrity can do is draw attention to a candidate or issue," Reiner says. The longtime political activist is co-chair of Dean's campaign in California.

Hollywood is known for leaning left politically, but a few celebrities and many industry executives support Republicans. President Bush's re-election campaign has raised $522,725 from the entertainment industry, the most of any candidate. His financial backers include action hero Chuck Norris and producer Richard Zanuck. But Bush is not actively courting Hollywood support, a Bush spokesman says.

Dean was second in fundraising with $470,093, according to Federal Election Commission records compiled by the Center for Responsive Politics.

Other celebrities have decided to save their endorsements for the eventual Democratic presidential nominee. Barbra Streisand has donated to most of the Democratic candidates. Franken has hosted fundraisers for five of them.