John McCain and Sarah Palin hit the campaign road with plenty of money to run a complete, powerful campaign over the next two months. The surge in support following McCain's choice of Sarah Palin for Vice-President has given the campaign $200 million in the bank for the next 60 days of campaigning:

John McCain's campaign expects to leave the Republican National Convention with $200 million in the bank and be able to match the Democrats' spending in the next two months, an aide said.

McCain will depart from the St. Paul, Minnesota, convention with $84.1 million in federal funds and the Republican National Committee will have about $125 million, the campaign aide said, speaking on condition of anonymity. Fundraisers are working to bring in another $80 million to $100 million over the next two months, the aide said.

With an increase in fundraising following McCain's choice of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as his running mate, Republicans say they are no longer in danger of being swamped by Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama's campaign cash.

``The money game is essentially off the table now,'' said Eddie Mahe, a former deputy chairman of the Republican National Committee.