where have all the leaders gone?

today times of india covered the perspective makeover of "Lalu"... not that i am surprised either by the makeover or by the coverage, but was just wondering where have all the days gone when the leader were judged by the work they did, not by the "image" they portrayed to the media.
i guess it is one of the hazards of media or maybe that leaders do not do any actual work so they need images or maybe the public would like to just believe the image and look into the work they have done or a combination of all.
(just wondering)