Incumbents can't catch a break as crises mount

An election year that was already bad for incumbents is turning out to be worse than they could have ever imagined.
An avalanche of crises -- ranging from the killer Ebola virus to ISIS jihadists to a suddenly volatile stock market -- is making it virtually impossible for lawmakers to rely on the inherent advantages of holding office. Instead of highlighting their accomplishments to constituents, incumbents are on defense.
The growing troubles are upending plans for the final stretch before the Nov. 4 election that will determine which...