Randolph Altschuler: Didn't energize the masses
Randolph Altschuler made a risky investment.
Though the New York Republican spent just $2.7 million on his House run, it worked out to $30.58 a vote.
Altschuler may have done better had he courted more outside money.
Campaigns that have many small donations tend to be more successful, said Brendan Glavin, data manager at the Campaign Finance Institute.
That's because people that give money to a campaign, even if it's just $5, feel a sense of ownership. They are then more likely to take an active role, convincing friends to vote over the dinner table or posting yard signs in the neighborhood -- things that actually win elections.
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Last updated November 08 2010: 3:47 PM ET
