The mass media played it down the middle in 1972—see this article as an example:
https://www.nytimes.com/1972/09/11/archives/nixon-and-mcgovern-square-off-on-economic-issues.html
I know it is hard for us to imagine, but it is _possible_ it could happen again... ;-)
Needless to say, if the mass media plays it down the middle, Bernie and the Democratic down-ticket candidates will be crushed.
“I know it is hard for us to imagine, but it is _possible_ it could happen again”
wouldn’t THAT give Trump something to crow about!