Just four years ago, certainly eight years ago, and for decades before that, when a primary debate was broadcast on a major network, it was important. It commanded attention. The MSM treated it as their ROLE to constrict and script the event for what THEY thought was best for us, but mostly for what they felt was best for THEM.
Now, they are nearly irrelevant and their debates are a side show.
Their ONLY relevance is as a contrast to Trump and to independent media.
(Just Human)
What debate are you talking about?
...
(I agree with your assessment. It is amazing how far we've come, and important to note the drastic change in what has become important on the world stage.)