Former Starbucks CEO considering independent White House bid

[January 28, 2019]  WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz said Sunday he was considering a bid for U.S. president as an independent, upsetting some Democrats who believe he would hurt their party's chances of defeating Republican President Donald Trump in 2020.

"I am seriously thinking of running for president. I will run as a centrist independent," Schultz said in an interview with CBS' "60 Minutes."

Schultz, describing himself as a "lifelong Democrat," said Americans were tired of the behavior of both the Republican and Democratic parties.

"We’re living at a most fragile time. 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," Schultz told CBS.

Democrats responded to his CBS interview with concern that Schultz would take votes away from the Democratic Party nominee. Julian Castro, a former U.S. housing official who launched a bid for the Democratic nomination earlier this month, told CNN he was worried an independent run by Schultz "would provide Donald Trump with his best hope of getting re-elected."

"There is zero appetite for this, and there is an urgent need for the Democratic candidate to win in 2020," Democratic Senator Brian Schatz of Hawaii wrote on Twitter.

The Democratic Party in Schultz's home state of Washington circulated on Twitter a photo of a Starbucks coffee cup with "Don't Do it Howard!" scribbled on the side.

Starbucks Chairman and CEO Howard Schultz delivers remarks at the Starbucks 2016 Investor Day in Manhattan, New York, U.S. December 7, 2016. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly/File Photo

The liberal-leaning Schultz, 65, is known for being outspoken on issues ranging from gay marriage to government gridlock. He announced in June he was stepping away from the coffee chain he built into a global powerhouse, fueling speculation about a possible presidential run.

He had been a near-constant presence at Starbucks for nearly four decades and crafted the company’s inclusive culture.

No independent candidate has ever won a U.S. presidential election, although some have played the role of spoiler. Asked why he was thinking about running as an independent, Schultz said over 40 percent of the U.S. electorate identifies as independent.

Schultz, a billionaire, said, "We'll be fully resourced to do what is necessary" to run for president.

Schultz, who introduced many Americans to upscale lattes and other espresso drinks, took the Seattle-based Starbucks from 11 cafes to more than 28,000 in 77 countries and produced big returns for many investors.

(Reporting by Susan Cornwell; Editing by Cynthia Osterman)

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