Why do you think politicians don't deal with the issues?

It is clear to me from various questions on Fluther just this past week or so that people care a lot about the issues: national security, terrorism, fuel prices, the recession, the economy, climate change. Yet, pundits and media seem fixated on the usual minor faux pas or the pasts of the candidates. Why can’t we get the real discussion we are interested in and need to hear from the candidates about?