The increasingly crowded field of 2020 contenders added another name this weekend with an announcement from former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz that he may run for president as a third-party independent.
I love our country, and I am seriously considering running for president as a centrist independent.
— Howard Schultz (@HowardSchultz) January 28, 2019
It’s a strange prospect given the fact that the Democratic base is particularly energized and progressive-leaning this election cycle. Trump has engendered a deep desire for substantive change, and the pendulum is swinging to the left end of the spectrum. A third party bid never really offers a legitimate path to the White House and in this current climate, a middle of the road candidate seems unlikely to inspire wide support. So far the response has been decidedly tepid.
Although Schultz doesn’t feel like a serious or desirable option. he’s already caught the attention of the president, who launched a Twitter attack on him this morning.
Trump claimed that Schultz doesn’t have the “guts” to run for president. He tore into Schultz over his 60 Minutes appearance and mocked his comment that he’s not the “smartest person,” adding that America already “has that” with their current president.
In addition to being exceptionally petty, there’s also something supremely funny about a senile ignoramus like Trump calling himself the “smartest person.” He’s the least intellectually curious man to ever occupy the Oval Office, and by far the worst president this country has ever had.
Trump ended his little attack with a weak jab at Schultz’s former job, saying that he hopes Starbucks is still paying him to rent out space in Trump Tower. Presumably, he was implying that Starbucks can’t compare to the Trump Organization, but it’s the sort of weird insecure posturing that only really makes sense to him.
In any case, Trump made a mistake tweeting about Schultz, in that it only generates free publicity for his independent presidential bid. That said, the last thing America needs right now is another billionaire president. Of the two, Schultz is the least bad option but there are far better candidate options within the Democratic Party. Americans should focus their support on one of them.
Howard Schultz doesn’t have the “guts” to run for President! Watched him on @60Minutes last night and I agree with him that he is not the “smartest person.” Besides, America already has that! I only hope that Starbucks is still paying me their rent in Trump Tower!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 28, 2019