Sen. Bernie Sanders Bernie SandersOutrage erupts over Breonna Taylor grand jury ruling Dimon: Wealth tax 'almost impossible to do' Grand jury charges no officers in Breonna Taylor death MORE (I-Vt.) accused Democratic Party leaders after the latest Democratic presidential debate over the weekend of timing the events to help rival Hillary Clinton Hillary Diane Rodham ClintonDemocratic groups using Bloomberg money to launch M in Spanish language ads in Florida The Hill's Campaign Report: Presidential polls tighten weeks out from Election Day More than 50 Latino faith leaders endorse Biden MORE, the front-runner.

Asked during an interview with WMUR after the debate in New Hampshire if he thought the timing of holding a debate the Saturday before Christmas was meant to limit viewership, Sanders responded, "I do."

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"In Iowa, you know when the debate was held? It was the night of the big football game in Iowa. You think that's a coincidence?" Sanders asked, referring to the second debate held last month.

"I hope a lot of people watch the debate tonight, I think it was a good debate, but I think there is a desire on the part of the leadership of the DNC to protect Secretary Clinton," he added, referring to the Democratic National Committee.

Sanders's campaign had complained about the timing of the debates heading into the Saturday match, which drew the lowest of any presidential debate this year at 6.71 million viewers, based on initial estimates

A campaign spokesman blasted the third debate Saturday ahead of the event, saying , "I guess Christmas Eve was booked."