Unlike his Republican opponent, Democrat Barack Obama is still raising money for his presidential campaign, and he turned to rock legend Jon Bon Jovi for help.
Bon Jovi and his wife, Dorothea, on Friday hosted more than 100 people for dinner on their mansion lawn by the Navesink River in Middletown, New Jersey.
The price was $US30,800 ($A38,000) a person, to be divided between the Obama campaign and the Democratic National Committee.
"When I look at Barack, I see an old man," Bon Jovi said in introducing his guest. Obama is 47, Bon Jovi is 46.
Obama spoke for about eight minutes before greeting guests individually. He vowed to fight Republican attacks on his character and background more fiercely than John Kerry did in his losing campaign four years ago.
"We're not going to be bullied, we're not going to be smeared, we're not going to be lied about," Obama said.
"I don't believe in coming in second."
Earlier in the evening, Obama attended a $US2,300-per-person ($A2,800) reception at the nearby home of veteran party fundraiser Phil Murphy.
About 200 people, including the Bon Jovis and New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine, attended.
Republican nominee John McCain cannot raise any more campaign money because he accepted about $US84 million ($A103.64 million) in public funding and the restrictions that go with it.
Obama turned down the public funding, figuring he can raise and spend more on his own.
