John Sidney McCain's crucial 73 days

By GottaLaff

I'm not in a snarky mood today, so please bear with my simple copy-and-pastes:

Here's a look at the fundraising for the two candidates so far this year, keeping in mind that McCain essentially locked up his party's nomination in early February.

Month	McCain	Obama
May	21.4	23.3
April	18.5	32
March	15.4	42.8
February	11.6	56.7
January	12.7	36.7

In order to prepare for the spending onslaught from Obama in the fall, McCain must make the most of the next two and a half months. If in that time McCain can't define the parameters -- geographically and ideologically -- on which the race will be fought between Sept. 5 and Nov. 4, he won't likely be able to do it.

For McCain then, it's hard to exaggerate the importance of the next 73 days for the future of his candidacy. Can he rise to the occasion?

One can only hope he can't.