LEE CARTER: The 5 words that explain this election better than any commercial

Lee Carter argues that five words best explain the US election: affordability, socialism, corruption, Trump and turnout. His central point is that voters may be more motivated by opposition and fear than by enthusiasm for either party, leaving both parties with reasons for concern.

Political advertising spending and reservations have exceeded $11.6 billion, a record for an American election cycle. Carter says Democrats have an advantage in highlighting the continued cost of living, but need a credible plan of their own; he also cites polling showing Republicans motivated to vote against socialism rose from 50% to 59% in a month. The article begins to discuss research finding that nearly one-third of congressional television adverts referred to government ethics or campaign finance.