The problem stems from candidates being so controlled, and elections being about anything but the free exchange of ideas.

It is all about marketing, branding, staying on message. Obama has been criticized by the media that cover him for being almost as guarded as Bush, ie that he only gives speeches, not press conferences, where the press can grill him. As if.

I notice there have been more 'in the back of the plane' photo ops of Obama lately, showing him chatting up the media whores.