Independent Sanders Invites Liberal Challenge to Obama in '12

President Barack Obama’s move to the center is alienating some of his liberal base. And one of the Senate’s biggest liberals, Vermont independent Bernie Sanders, who caucuses with Democrats, says a left-wing primary challenger for Obama next year would be a good thing, The Hill reports.

Sen. Bernie Sanders

"If a progressive Democrat were to run, I think it would enliven the debate," he said in an interview on WNYC Radio. "They are free to do that . . . In a democracy, I think it's worthwhile to have different voices out there."

Sanders has been critical of Obama’s moderation, particularly his December deal with Republicans to extend Bush-era tax cuts for all Americans. But Obama’s unlikely to change course, as the new centrist stance has boosted his approval ratings.