Former Starbucks CEO and chairman Howard Schultz, a diehard Democrat who once vowed to hire 10,000 refugees as Starbucks employees, has all but confirmed a run for president of the United States in 2020 -- but as an Independent.
In a nationally televised interview yesterday, Schultz said he's "seriously considering" running for president." But to the dismay of the Democratic Party, Schultz announced he intends to run as a "centrist independent."
"I love our country, and I am seriously considering running for president as a centrist independent," said Schultz.
Schultz said he plans to travel across the United States for a book tour during the next three months. It will only be during this period where he will decide whether to formally declare his candidacy.
During the TV interview on 60 Minutes, Schultz strongly criticized president Donald Trump for his lack of qualifications.
"Not only the fact that this president is not qualified to be the president but the fact that both parties are consistently not doing what's necessary on behalf of the American people and are engaged, every single day, in revenge politics," he said.
As for why he won't run as a Democrat, Schultz said doing so means he would "have to be disingenuous" and adopt the party's leftward shift on certain policies.
"When I hear people espousing free government-paid college, free government-paid health care, and a free government job for everyone - on top of a $21 trillion debt - the question is, how are we paying for all this and not bankrupting the country?" he asked.
Schultz is the most business qualified among the field of 24 Democrats that have either declared their candidacy for president and formed exploratory committees or have formed committees but are still weighing a run.
Democrats are worried an independent candidacy by Schultz will enhance Trump's chances of re-election by siphoning away votes away from the Democrat's presidential candidate.
"I have a concern that if he did run, that essentially it would provide Donald Trump with his best hope of getting re-elected," said Democratic presidential candidate Julián Castro. "I would truly suggest to Mr. Schultz to truly think about the negative impact that might make."
Washington State Democratic Party Chair Tina Podlodowski said she has two words for Schultz on a potential run for president as an independent: "Just don't."
In response to these brickbats, Schultz said the criticism is misplaced, and that he isn't doing this to be a "spoiler."
"I am certainly prepared for the cynics and the naysayers to come out and say this cannot be done," he said. "I don't agree with them. I think it's un-American to say it can't be done."
He also said his lack of party affiliation, and his insistence on running as an Independent, is a "win" for Americans.
"I want to see the American people win. I want to see America win," he said. "I don't care if you're Democrat, independent, Libertarian, Republican, bring me your ideas, and I will be an independent person who will embrace those ideas because I am not in any way in bed with a party.
Schultz was CEO of Starbucks until he retired in April 2017. He later stepped down as chairman in June 2018, igniting rumors of a presidential bid.
Schultz attacked the Republican Tax Cuts and Jobs Act before Congress passed it in December in 2017.
"This is a tax cut. This is fool's gold. (Trump) wants to take the corporate tax rate from 35 to 20 percent for what purpose? Is that profit going to go back to the people who need it the most? Is that going to help small businesses? Is that going to help half the country that doesn't have $400 in their bank account for a crisis? No," he said.
Schultz was a strong supporter of Hillary Clinton in her run for president in 2016. He donated $10,800 to her joint fundraising committee.
