The nature of campaign coverage contributes to this. You really are trapped by the campaign and what they want you to hear. Of course, it was policy the campaign wanted to put out, a number of issues that Americans, when polled, say are important to them, like education. In the bubble, you see it the way the campaign wants to present it. They're driving the presentation of the material, and you're transmitting.
Some journalists do make an effort to break free.
For example, the Chicago Tribune has raised doubts about the guilt of some death row inmates and provoked a national debate, but both nominees tried to steer well clear of the matter. Nightline tried to get around that problem. Based on Governor Bush's championing of executions, the program took the topic to his home turf for five straight nights in September. Governor Bush and his staff declined to participate. Still, Nightline refused to be controlled by the campaign's stonewall.