Former Starbucks chairman and CEO Howard Schultz told CBS' 60 Minutes last night that he's seriously considering a run for President as an "independent" centrist, demonstrating that millions in personal wealth has only heightened his self-regard. Schultz, who described himself as a "lifelong Democrat," is apparently clueless to the fact that a vanity candidacy like his would inevitably siphon more votes from Dems and most likely result in neo-fascist Kremlin asset Donald "Rump" Trump's re-election, something that would destroy our democracy.
Prior to the show's airing, Schultz tweeted:
I love our country, and I am seriously considering running for president as a centrist independent.— Howard Schultz (@HowardSchultz) January 28, 2019
Which prompted angry responses from a cross section of people:
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
If you love our country, back the best candidate to beat Trump.— Steve Marmel (@Marmel) January 28, 2019
Or run as a Dem and convince us.
Anything else is going to do damage.
And return him to office.
Your legacy will suffer.
Please think this through.
You running as an Independent would only help Trump. Join the primary or sit this one out; the stakes are simply too high.— Chris Watson (@cwonrails) January 28, 2019
This would be a venti mistake, my dude— Parker Molloy (@ParkerMolloy) January 28, 2019
Because what the United States really needs right now is a billionaire with no political experience. Yep, there's a good idea.— KathyMissesDemocracy (@kathy_evs) January 28, 2019
Please don't. If you love our country, put your resources into fighting voter suppression or gerrymandering. Maybe throw yourself into increasing representation of vulnerable communities in government. Don't run for president.— Charlotte Clymer🏳️🌈 (@cmclymer) January 28, 2019
In other words, 4 MORE YEARS. https://t.co/wnAhffWeWG— Schooley (@Rschooley) January 28, 2019
I’m an American political historian and I can assure you that the only thing you’ll accomplish by running for president as a centrist independent is helping re-elect Donald Trump.— Kevin M. Kruse (@KevinMKruse) January 28, 2019
What do you bet that the GOP and the Russians will do everything possible to surreptitiously promote @HowardSchultz among Democratic constituencies, to drain the maximum number of votes from the D POTUS nominee?— Larry Sabato (@LarrySabato) January 28, 2019
Even Rump got in his twit-tweet, trying to egg Schultz on in an obvious way (and threatening the Starbucks in Trump Tower). Tells you all you need to know about how he'd love Schultz to run and split the Dems.
BONUS: Steve M. identifies Schultz' true constituency.
BONUS II: Dem gazillionaire Michael Bloomberg also warns against a third party candidate: "We must remain united and not let any candidate to divide or fracture us."
BONUS III: LGM quickly uncovered some, uh, inconsistencies in the autobiography Schultz has peddled. Another self- centered rich guy who has a problem telling the truth. Got it.
