Howard Schultz Exposes The Split In The Democrats | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics

Former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz Is Exposing The Split In The Democratic Party

In announcing his consideration of a presidential run, Howard Schultz has caused a storm within the Democratic party.

260
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Howard_Schultz_(46210325284).jpg
Wikimedia Commons

In a recent 60 Minutes interview, former Starbucks CEO, Howard Schultz announced that he is "seriously thinking of running for president." He went on to say that he "will run as a centrist independent, outside of the two-party system."

In the same interview, Schultz confessed that he's "been a lifelong Democrat." And he isn't lying. Schultz supports Obamacare and the Paris Climate Accords. He endorsed Hilary Clinton in 2016 and has donated to various Democratic politicians. In a June 2018 interview with NBC, he expressed his disappointment with the recent GOP tax cut bill.

"I was disappointed [in the GOP's tax cut bill]. Corporate America did not need a tax cut to 21 percent when we could have done so much more for the people of the country. Forty-five percent of the people in America don't have $500 in the bank for a crisis."

Howard Schultz was also the CEO of Starbucks, a company not only known for their overpriced coffee, but also for their left-wing policies.

Surprisingly, Schultz has been hit with more back-lash by liberals, rather than conservatives, over his recent presidential announcement. This reaction is out of the fear that he may take away votes from the 2020 Democratic candidate, and, as a result, re-elect Trump. In New York City, a protester heckled at him, "Don't help elect Trump, you egotistical billionaire a------." A former Clinton campaign employee started the website ProtestHoward.com, which serves as an organizer for demonstrations against Schultz's book tour.

On MSNBC's Morning Joe, host Mika Brzezinski asked Schultz how much a box of Cheerios costs. "I don't know," Schultz responded, "I don't eat Cheerios." This was supposed to be a grilling question, showing that he's out of touch with everyday Americans. To me, the real story isn't that he's out of touch (it's already common knowledge that the rich and politicians are out of touch with everyday people) but Mika and Joe's reaction to his consideration of running.

So why do Democrats have such vitriol for Howard Schultz? Is it solely because they are worried he will snag votes from their candidate? A case could be made that he may also snag votes from Donald Trump. Or is it other reasons?

Schultz was raised in Brooklyn projects, and with his athletic skill, was able to get a scholarship to Northern Michigan University in 1970. He eventually became the director of marketing for Starbucks in 1982. He took Starbucks, a small company only in Seattle at the time, and transformed it into the billion-dollar franchise it is today.

Schultz's life is a "rags to riches" American success story. In some regards, it's inspirational and would be a perfect pitch for a presidential candidacy. Democrats could have run him as the "hard-working" wealthy progressive liberal who, unlike Trump, didn't take a "small loan of one million dollars." But instead, they mock his wealth and attack him personally.

The Democratic party is radically shifting. Politicians like Kamala Harris (D-CA) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) are wrapped up in identity-politics and intersectionality. The new representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and Senator Bernie Sanders (D-VT) are entrenched in expensive socialist policies and high taxes.

Democratic party members' association with Louis Farrakhan has brought a rise in questions regarding anti-Semitism within the party, as highlighted in this CNN article.

Howard Schultz does not fit in with his party's change. He's a straight white male who has earned a considerable amount of wealth. He doesn't support the 70% income tax rate proposed by many of his counterparts. If Democrats want a chance at the 2020 presidential election, they are going to have rear back on the radicalism within their party.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

189780
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

14635
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

457624
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

26505
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments