We knew that a lot of money would be spent in the 2012 elections. And a story today from Talking Points Memo (TPM) shows just how much (that we know of) has been spent, and how it's only going to get worse as we move forward in the campaign.

The Washington Post gives a mention to our effort to put Sen. John McCain on the record in support of public financing of federal campaigns via a letter we have been circulating this past week. We've collected over 9,000 signatures for that letter, which we will attempting to deliver to Sen. McCain as he heads into a high-dollar fundraiser this evening at the Willard Hotel, just steps from the White House in downtown DC.

Legally, the most an individual can donate to a presidential candidate is $2,300 for the primary election and another $2,300 for the general election. But for the big donors for whom $4,600 just doesn't buy enough, there's bundling: getting your friends to donate the maximum to your candidate -- donations for which you get credit, and access, from the candidate.