Progressives to Obama: Change tracks or face a possible primary

Tags: Karen Bernal, Barack Obama, Democratic Primary, Dennis Kucinich, Bernie Sanders

CA Progressive Caucus Chair Karen Bernal.

photo by Karen Bernal

On today's Last Call we talked about a provocative idea that’s gaining traction with progressives who are frustrated and disappointed with the Obama administration’s continual kowtowing to Republican demands at the expense of working and middle class folks in this country.

People like Ohio member of Congress Dennis Kucinich and Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, are beginning to talk about the possibility of President Obama having to face a primary opponent, if for no other reason, than to force him into being more accountable to those who helped put him in the White House, rather than to Republicans.

Our guest today was Karen Bernal, two-term Chair of the California Progressive Caucus. They put forth a resolution in July, following the contentious debt ceiling debate, stating their intent to find someone to run against Obama if he does not “rework his priorities to respond to the needs of working class Americans.”

We also reached out to both the DNC and state Democratic Party for their comment on the possibility of President Obama having to face a primary opponent. Unfortunately our calls were not returned before airtime.