The rumor mill is churning again. This time, there's chatter that former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz is considering running against President Donald Trump...but as an independent. Democrats are freaking out over the possibility because they believe Schultz could hand the election to Trump.
.@HowardSchultz running for POTUS as an independent would put the froth on @realDonaldTrump ‘s Cinnamon Dolce Latte, splitting the opposition and making Trump’s low ceiling potentially high enough.https://t.co/O6HsJAL8sP
— David Axelrod (@davidaxelrod) January 21, 2019
The best thing that Howard Schultz can do for the country is invest in education, voting rights, civil rights, and climate advocacy. There is zero appetite for this, and there is an urgent need for the Democratic candidate to win in 2020.
— Brian Schatz (@brianschatz) January 26, 2019
Dear Howard Schultz,
— David Rothkopf (@djrothkopf) January 27, 2019
Love that you want to help the country. Running for president won’t do that. It will hurt it. Donate your money. Campaign for the Democratic candidate. Don’t be Jill Stein. Don’t help re-elect Trump.
Thank you,
America
I will not only #BoycottStarbucks if Howard Schultz runs for President as an independent, but stand outside everyday protesting.
— Nate Lerner (@NathanLerner) January 26, 2019
His ego and selfishness is disgraceful. https://t.co/pc88l5KYl6
I’ll bet Howard Schultz could draw 20,000. I don’t think they’d be clapping though.
— Adam Parkhomenko (@AdamParkhomenko) January 28, 2019
Howard, I like your coffee, but please don’t do this. You’re not going to win. You’re just going to make it easier for @realDonaldTrump to win. https://t.co/T8smFRW4Gk
— David Cicilline (@davidcicilline) January 28, 2019
Schultz reaffirmed Democrats' fear during an interview with "60 Minutes" on Sunday. Here are some highlights:
Is Howard Schultz thinking of running for president? Scott Pelley talks to the billionaire former CEO of Starbucks. 60 Minutes, tonight. https://t.co/5pd3hDfynP pic.twitter.com/R0sKUYJZUt
— 60 Minutes (@60Minutes) January 27, 2019
If he runs, Schultz says it will be as a “centrist independent” even though he has long identified as a Democrat. pic.twitter.com/EsIIbMCp1m
— 60 Minutes (@60Minutes) January 28, 2019
Will Howard Schultz siphon votes away from the Democrats if he runs as an Independent? “I wanna see America win. I don't care if you're a democrat, independent, libertarian, republican. Bring me your ideas.” pic.twitter.com/BQETr2XgzN
— 60 Minutes (@60Minutes) January 28, 2019
Where does Howard Schultz stand on immigration, climate change, healthcare and taxes? https://t.co/pGqGohQbHK pic.twitter.com/u0WydOYhY8
— 60 Minutes (@60Minutes) January 28, 2019
“I’m not the smartest person in the room.” What does a coffee entrepreneur know about being commander in chief? https://t.co/ArY7ZiB8Kw pic.twitter.com/b3YTPpvTl7
— 60 Minutes (@60Minutes) January 28, 2019
“The American people are exhausted. Their trust has been broken. And they are looking for a better choice.” Howard Schultz knows no Independent candidate has come close to winning a presidential election, but he thinks now is the time. https://t.co/xNTW5UQXh2 pic.twitter.com/c0MZrOfr1O
— 60 Minutes (@60Minutes) January 28, 2019
Howard Schultz says he hopes his Jewish faith wouldn’t have a negative impact on his campaign. He remembers “an outcry of hate” for Catholic candidate JFK. https://t.co/bj1gLbyPl7 pic.twitter.com/MZl1OXkIVV
— 60 Minutes (@60Minutes) January 28, 2019
Howard Schultz on releasing his tax returns: “We can do it today, if you want.” The former Starbucks CEO has a net worth of close to $3.5B. https://t.co/SBIdyewQ0J pic.twitter.com/PqzRWCghc5
— 60 Minutes (@60Minutes) January 28, 2019
“I think, like most people, I’ve become bored with President Trump and his tweets.” Former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz tells 60 Minutes he is weighing a presidential run as an Independent, and he doesn’t care what the president has to say about it. https://t.co/FNrm8cjI91 pic.twitter.com/R9troqaV4D
— 60 Minutes (@60Minutes) January 28, 2019
Schultz quickly created a Twitter account and began tweeting:
I love our country, and I am seriously considering running for president as a centrist independent.
— Howard Schultz (@HowardSchultz) January 28, 2019
This moment is like no other. Our two parties are more divided than ever. Let’s discuss how we can come together to create opportunities for more people. #ReimagineUS https://t.co/9UY46OTO0I
— Howard Schultz (@HowardSchultz) January 28, 2019
What we're seeing taking place between the Democrats is very similar to what we saw in 2010 with the rise of the Tea Party. Progressives, and even Centrists for that matter, are tired of the Democratic Party. They feel as though the mainstream Democratic Party no longer share the same values as they do. We're bound to see a very, very packed 2020 Democratic field.