McCain begins funding drive but Democrat coffers hard to beat

THIS is the week John McCain takes a measure of what the Republican presidential nomination is worth.

The Arizona senator, less than a week after securing enough delegates to become his party’s presidential standard-bearer, sets out on a nationwide fundraising drive aimed at restocking his campaign account.

Starting yesterday in St Louis, Missouri, continuing today in New York, tomorrow in Boston and other unannounced cities through Friday, McCain will reach out to the GOP faithful seeking their dollars.