Campaign contributions

About a month back, the Federal Election Commission approved a proposal to allow campaign contributions via text message. Both Obama and Romney camps have showed their support for the plan. But now Reuters is reporting that wireless carriers in the country might not be so easy to convince.

The change gives federal candidates a new way to tap into small donor networks, but questions about how much money it will bring in remain.

Many lawmakers invest campaign contributions, but not all make money. Former accountant and Democrat from California Brad Sherman has made over $650,000 on Treasury securities.

Midnight was the filing deadline for "super" political action committees to reveal where all the big money flowing into the 2012 presidential campaigns is coming from. But still, it could be a while before we know the names of donors.

Armed with a smartphone and a special app from Square, fundraisers can collect credit card donations on the spot.

Steven Henn reports on today's Marketplace show about the findings of a study by the research group Maplight.org, which keeps an eye on money and...