An election would have been political suicide. No article needed.
political suicide is being regarded as a phenomenon, not as an actual occurrence. Compare:
It looks like rain.
______
Food is waiting for them at the other end.
What were you going to answer?
waits? That would be wrong. It would indicate habitual action.
I always wait here for the bus in the morning.
On a particular occasion, use
is waiting.
Food is waiting ...
I am waiting here for the bus this morning.
__________
Presumably they have not eaten for a while.
What were you going to answer?
didn't eat? That would not be
something relevant to the present situation in which the sheep run
fast. You need to say that the not eating lasted up to the present
moment; otherwise the sheep aren't hungry when they run.
__________
It is hard to interpret
has been asking (continuously)
three times. It's contradictory.
has/have been ---ing X times simply won't work. The
-ing indicates continuous action, and
X times indicates repeated action. (* in front of statement means it's wrong.)
*He has been reading this book three times. (Should be
has read)
*We have been driving this car five times. (Should be
have driven)
*The Smiths have been seeing that movie twice. (Should be
have seen)
CJ