Why are nationally recognized politicians so stuffy, inane, and lacking in humor?

Question

Is it because we hang onto their every word ready to pounce?

Answer 1

What about Bob Dole? He was a regular prankster. And you know it's not a party until Al Gore starts making cracks about the environment and soon everybody is hunched over and laughing, hardly able to breathe, like a drowning polar bear.

Answer 2

They really have to be careful about what they say and to whom they say it. Any slip of the tongue can be taken out of context and ruin their campaigns.