Political Ads Inundate Media Markets

US political candidates have amassed more advertising cash this year than ever before. The hard part is finding places to spend it. In the busiest markets, which include California, Nevada, Arizona and Florida, prime spots are virtually closed to nonpolitical advertisers until after Nov. 2. Ad rates are up fivefold in markets with newly tight races, including Syracuse (NY), the site of two toss-up House races, and Seattle, where Democratic Washington Sen. Patty Murray is fighting a surge by Republican challenger Dino Rossi. The glut has forced candidates and their ad buyers to wait, innovate or try to game the system.