Story highlights Democrats limiting debates to six and punishing candidates who take part in unsanctioned debates

Peter Burling: People in New Hampshire, and nationally, deserve to hear much more from candidates

Peter Burling is a former New Hampshire state senator, a supporter of Martin O'Malley's campaign for the 2016 Democratic presidential nomination, and a member of the Democratic National Committee. The opinions expressed in this commentary are his.

(CNN) The former chair of the Democratic National Committee has written a defense of the debate schedule imposed on this year's primary process by the DNC. There is nothing in what Mr. Fowler says that does not bear serious consideration. However, it is what he doesn't say that raises many questions.

Peter Burling

For example, why does the DNC think it is important to impose an unprecedented banishment rule against any Democratic candidate feisty enough to participate in an unsanctioned debate?

For Bernie Sanders, who gathers up an audience of 10,000 people almost without breaking a sweat, this rule must seem like a pair of handcuffs custom crafted to control his behavior.

Sen. Sanders is openly suggesting that he will invite a Republican to debate right now. If he does so, will he be barred from other Democratic debates? We don't know what will happen if the DNC tries to impose such punishment on one of our top candidates, but I've got a pretty good idea.

Another question is why has the DNC scheduled New Hampshire's only debate six days before Christmas. Does no one in the DNC leadership remember how wonderful the holiday season is, and how far down the Christmas "to do" list a Democratic debate is likely to be, even for those of us who are completely committed to the process of picking someone who will win in 2016?

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