Washington, D.C. ? Republican John McCain sought to keep alive his deeply troubled campaign on Monday, laying off dozens of staffers after lackluster fundraising and excessive spending left him with just $2 million for his second presidential bid.

Considered the GOP front-runner just six months ago, the Arizona senator trails his top rivals in money and polls. McCain’s fortunes soured this year as he embraced President Bush’s troop increase for the Iraq war, a conflict a majority of Republicans support, and a bipartisan immigration bill that has divided the GOP. He also has struggled to win over skeptical conservatives who make up the core of the party.

Officials with knowledge of the reorganization said more than 50 staffers, and perhaps as many as 80 to 100, in every department of the campaign were being let go, and senior aides will be subject to pay cuts. These officials spoke on condition of anonymity because the campaign would not publicly discuss specifics.