The DNC doesn't want Hillary damaged/exposed to a lot of problems from debates.

To minimize the potential damage, they're minimizing the number of debates and the number of people who would see them.

And it keeps the competitors like Bernie from getting known/exposure

weaknesses. My guess is that she has a very tight knit, loyal group around her and they misguidedly want to wall her off. Yet she has shown she is at her most powerful when confronted in such a way.

I am supporting Bernie and we have a real split in our family. But I feel it shows the strengths of the party as compared to the repubs, who look like idiots...

ie Tim Russert for example.

I think that's what they're trying to shield her from. As a front runner, she's the target her competitors want to cut down to bring her back to the pack.

But I agree with you that the Dem debates are something the party should be proud of compared to the GOP debates. All three candidates present themselves quite well and there is a more civilized, respectful tone, etc.

advantage in that? Because then you look evasive and like you are hiding something. it is a terrible tactic...

Voters are aware the number of debates are down for both parties so that' harder to pin on Hillary alone - something that they cannot see.

Video clips of Hillary answering a question at a debate can provide the GOP or media fodder to criticize her that can be looped or used in ads - and is something that they can see - and because they see it, it's more likely they'll remember it.

so she is trying to deny promotional time for Bernie Sanders. Add that to the media blackout and "The revolution will not be televised" except on Saturday evening right alongside an NFL game...

repubs, one of whom will debate her. Is there anyone in that lineup that you think can hold a candle to her?

He is sort of a New Deal candidate whose platform is extremely appealing to most Americans.

Unfortunately, Bernie's message is anathema to the more conservative 'Third Way' wing of the Democratic party, which pretty much holds all the power. The reason is they, like their Republican counterparts across the aisle, are beholden to many corporate and special interests:

-Big oil and coal companies are frightened of Bernie because he has said global warming is the biggest threat we face.

-The military industrial complex is uneasy with Bernie, because they are afraid he'll cut funding for unnecessary stuff. They also don't appreciate him wanting to spend money on rebuilding our outdated and crumbling infrastructure because they believe, correctly that this will cut into their profits.

-Multinational corporations and international bankers dislike Bernie because he is against the Trans Pacific Partnership, which in effect would cost western nations millions of jobs and undermine democracy at all levels. Some see TPP as being the power elite's 'move' to take power from nation states and create a corporate government.

-Wall Street dislikes Bernie because he wants to re-instate Glass-Steagall and generally tighten up regulations.

-Health insurance companies and big pharma hate Bernie because they are on the ACA (Obamacare) gravy-train, and what is ACA but a giant Heritage Foundation corporate welfare program? Bernie is calling for single payer healthcare, and for the government to use its vast buying power to drive costs down.

-The NRA doesn't like Bernie much because he's called for a differentiated approach - less gun control in rural areas and more in urban ones. Since the NRA represents merchants of death far more than its rank and file membership, his position is, again, anathema to them.

-Big corporations and billionaires dislike Bernie because he wants to raise their taxes and adjust the corporate tax code so companies can't so easily 'offshore' income and profits without paying taxes at all. This is a $20 trillion + problem for the US Treasury. The other reason they don't like Bernie is because he wants to remove the Social Security payroll tax cap and actually expand the program, and again, any benefit to Americans through social programs is seen as a danger to profits.

K-Street lobbyists don't like Bernie because he wants to overturn Citizens United and impose government funded elections. The corporate owned news media doesn't like this because it will reduce their election year profits from overpriced commercials.

There's more, but that's enough to illustrate my point.

Now, to your question. Wasserman Schultz and the DNC is firmly in Clinton's camp because Clinton is the establishment candidate. The media, which is corporate-owned is downplaying or downright ignoring Bernie. Polls paid for by establishment sources are purposely skewing in favor of Clinton. Post debate feedback showing Bernie coming out on top is being deleted from media websites.

Basically, the only people who like Bernie are ordinary people, because every single plank of his platform is favored by a majority of Americans. I believe very strongly that Bernie is the ONLY candidate running that actually cares about me or my family, and I know his policies will make my life better.

So there you have the answer, or at least AN answer from the perspective of one person.

But I'm definitely not alone.

that is where his strength will be tested and we'll see. I won't make any predictions, except I lean to saying he just might win the New Hampshire because of its proximity to VT. As for Iowa, anything could happen, IMO.