If you needed any confirmation that the presidential election will come down to hand-to-hand combat in a few battleground states, this is it. This chart compiled by TNS Media reveals some fascinating early spending decisions.

First, note the focus on June/July spending in the east-of-the-Mississippi Midwest, Mid-Atlantic and South. Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Michigan are the big ones. Not surprising is Obama’s early investment in Virginia. His campaign is also hoping for lighting to strike in North Carolina - another red state where GOP party identification defections have been significant in the past two years. The early investment in Georgia is not unexpected either, given the state’s large African-American population. These data show McCain has not responded in either Georgia or North Carolina.

Second, both campaigns are spending early in a few other Midwestern and Western battleground states: Wisconsin, Missouri, and Colorado.

Finally, the biggest unmatched spending clearly lies in Florida, where Obama reports outlays over $4 million while McCain/RNC haven’t fired any shots yet. On the other hand, it looks like McCain’s trying to get a little head start in Iowa and Nevada. He has outspent Obama slightly in each of those states.

Hat Tip: The Monkey Cage