Internet explodes in anger as Howard Schultz announces presidential run: 'Patriotism should put limits even on ego'
January 28, 2019
Billionaire and former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz says he is thinking of running for president – not as a Democrat but as a "centrist independent" – and it seems the only ones truly excited about the news are President Donald Trump and Howard Schultz.
Trump on Monday egged Schultz on – taunting him as Trump is prone to do – saying he doesn't have the "guts" or smarts to run.
A Schultz third-party run would absolutely siphon off votes from the Democratic nominee, making very likely a Trump re-election win.
Schultz, a lifelong Democrat, on CBS' "60 Minutes" appeared to not care about that likelihood.
Former Starbucks chairman and CEO @HowardSchultz says he's seriously considering a 2020 presidential run as an inde… https://t.co/IpLUIh3Sye— CBS This Morning (@CBS This Morning)1548680953.0
He also said the primary reason he would run is to reduce the deficit.
Meanwhile, many on social media are blasting the once-popular coffee purveyor who spent decades turning Starbucks into a household name.
Former SDNY US Attorney:
I think @HowardSchultz should totally run for city council in whatever city he lives— Preet Bharara (@Preet Bharara)1548649797.0
Progressive activist:
Howard Schultz is doing a book event in NYC tonight in case folks want to drop in and tell him not to run https://t.co/XPHAs7jZPM— jordan (@jordan)1548686318.0
Journalist:
The worst part about Howard Schultz's announcement is that he did it on a day when Kamala Harris drew a huge crowd… https://t.co/Du1DRom0c5— Jennifer Hayden (@Jennifer Hayden)1548681671.0
Law professor:
I can't wait until Howard Schultz winds up in Chicago, so I can thank him for his coffee's usefulness and tell him… https://t.co/rf56yOb2Zj— Anthony Michael Kreis (@Anthony Michael Kreis)1548686461.0
Chairman of the nation's largest grassroots Resistance organization:
It feels good to be here. My hope is to share my truth, listen to yours, build trust, and focus on things that can make us better.— Howard Schultz (@Howard Schultz)1548623728.0
Journalist, chairwoman:
Not since George Washington has a non-major party candidate won the election. Many predict your candidacy would dra… https://t.co/OmfKt4NQCJ— Soledad O'Brien (@Soledad O'Brien)1548634411.0
Writer and scholar:
It feels good to be here. My hope is to share my truth, listen to yours, build trust, and focus on things that can make us better.— Howard Schultz (@Howard Schultz)1548623728.0
Law analyst:
I love our country too, for which precise reason I'm not considering running for president. Patriotism should put l… https://t.co/sCY6KgGI2M— Benjamin “18 U.S.C. § 114” Wittes (@Benjamin “18 U.S.C. § 114” Wittes)1548639126.0
Washington Post opinion writer:
Have to hand it to Howard Schultz - I can't think of another person whose potential presidential campaign was greet… https://t.co/dP1Fm5AJxa— Paul Waldman (@Paul Waldman)1548677446.0
More:
One problem is the belief that the best way to improve the country is if I'm put in charge of governing it. Not a p… https://t.co/u0WyHaS8vI— Taniel (@Taniel)1548634627.0
As I was saying, @howardSchultz, running as independent will: 1) infuriate 30 million democrats who who immediatel… https://t.co/EYZ1pU5xWy— Shoq (@Shoq)1548677595.0
WOMEN are the majority voters, guys. And we're really done with white men ruling our shit. So step aside. Democr… https://t.co/kiELHvwBbm— Geri Gourley (@Geri Gourley)1548658636.0
Dear @HowardSchultz. Do you know how much of your coffee we've bought lo these many, MANY years? This is how you re… https://t.co/ard8Unpx72— Carissa in NV 💛 #BidenHarris2020 (@Carissa in NV 💛 #BidenHarris2020)1548687575.0
HOWARD SCHULTZ: I’m not doing this for me, I’m doing it for America. AMERICA: sir, your logo is your name with you… https://t.co/6sWKrpuNOL— Jesse Lehrich (@Jesse Lehrich)1548646870.0
Sorry @HowardSchultz, but the ‘privileged billionaire white guy “outsider” who really cares about the little peop… https://t.co/tBSmGqkOvK— Amy Roark (@Amy Roark)1548684861.0
@HowardSchultz Great. Another rich narcissistic businessman with zero political experience who thinks he alone can… https://t.co/RUToHveT19— Like a miracle, it will disappear (@Like a miracle, it will disappear)1548680181.0
@HowardSchultz You are in this to hurt the Democratic nominee. There is no other reason for you to do what you are… https://t.co/JOPeYntzRp— coca 🧢 💙🌊 #BidenHarris2020 - Wear a Mask (@coca 🧢 💙🌊 #BidenHarris2020 - Wear a Mask)1548685061.0
There aren't many paths to Trump winning re-election in 2020. Democrats running an extreme candidate who can't app… https://t.co/F763haCNXF— Yascha Mounk (@Yascha Mounk)1548634740.0
Early voting. #HowardSchultz https://t.co/0X7ieyjx9Y— Jim Kessler (@Jim Kessler)1548681859.0
I love our country, and I am seriously AGAINST another bloated ego billionaire running for President. DON'T DO IT,… https://t.co/xLcDWugpew— BrooklynDad_Defiant! (@BrooklynDad_Defiant!)1548685909.0
Nothing says "I don't understand U.S. politics" like running as a "centrist independent" https://t.co/5UDyJeaH4e— Brandon Friedman (@Brandon Friedman)1548636047.0
@HowardSchultz I appreciate your hopes, Mr. Schultz, but we are in such a unique & urgent moment in this country th… https://t.co/d0hbFejLoq— Lorraine Devon Wilke (@Lorraine Devon Wilke)1548653522.0
