Story highlights Bernie Sanders isn't buying spin by the Hillary Clinton campaign that she's got a huge disadvantage here in New Hampshire because of his Vermont ties

He predicted a tight race next week

Concord, New Hampshire (CNN) Bernie Sanders isn't buying spin by the Hillary Clinton campaign that she's got a huge disadvantage here in New Hampshire because of his Vermont ties.

On a day when Hillary Clinton repeatedly tried to lower expectations for her performance here next Tuesday night, Sanders argued to reporters that she has many built-in advantages in the Granite State. He predicted a tight race next week.

The Vermont senator has consistently led Clinton in New Hampshire polls -- sometimes by more than 20 points. But he laughed Wednesday when a reporter asked how much of his lead here should be attributed to his residency in a neighboring state.

"In case anybody doesn't know it," he said, "in 2008 Secretary Clinton ran for president and she actually won here in the state of New Hampshire. She campaigned here in 2008. She won the state. She has very significant political connections. She has the support of virtually the entire political establishment here in New Hampshire."

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