The news that Howard Schultz, the former CEO of Starbucks, is strongly looking at a third party bid for the White House has clearly rattled members of the media. Given that Schultz holds liberal views on abortion, exiting the Paris Climate Agreement, illegal immigration, and other issues, it’s clear that CBS worries his candidacy will split the Democratic vote and re-elect Donald Trump.
On Sunday night, 60 Minutes correspondent Scott Pelley voiced his fears: “Do you worry that you're going to siphon votes away from the Democrats and, thereby, ensure that President Trump has a second term?” Regarding Schultz’s liberalism, Pelley argued, “Why run as an independent? Your views have always aligned with the Democratic Party.”
Seemingly amazed that a liberal would endanger a Democratic victory, Pelley fixated, “Many believed that Schultz would run for president as a Democrat. His announcement tonight may come as a surprise.”
Previewing another CBS interview with Schultz for Tuesday, This Morning co-host Bianna Golodryga on Monday highlighted the Democratic terror: “We'll find out how he answers Democrats who are worried his bid could help re-elect President Trump.”
Get it? The important part here is how this impacts Democrats and their quest to retake the White House. Still, there was time to fawn over the liberal businessman’s potential candidacy. On Sunday, Pelley introduced Schultz this way:
To Schultz, Starbucks was never just a coffee shop. He saw his stores as meeting halls where customers came to chew over the great issues of the day. His activism is rooted in a rags-to-riches life.
If Schultz does launch a third party bid, look for more liberal fear about how this will impact Democrats.
A partial transcript of the 60 Minutes segment is below.
60 Minutes
1/28/19
7:05
SCOTT PELLEY: Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz left his company seven months ago, which led many to wonder what the socially conscious executive was planning. To Schultz, Starbucks was never just a coffee shop. He saw his stores as meeting halls where customers came to chew over the great issues of the day. His activism is rooted in a rags-to-riches life, and tonight, Schultz reveals traumas he has never discussed publicly. At the age of 65, he is preparing for the greatest challenge of his life. Many believed that Schultz would run for president as a Democrat. His announcement tonight may come as a surprise.
...
7:06
PELLEY: Why run as an independent? Your views have always aligned with the Democratic Party.
7:08
PELLEY: Do you worry that you're going to siphon votes away from the Democrats and, thereby, ensure that president trump has a second term?
...PELLEY: Well, let me see if I can find out where you are on some of the issues that are pressing in the country. Immigration.... Climate change.... Health care.
...
PELLEY: Many people are going to ask, what does the coffee entrepreneur know about being commander in chief?
...
PELLEY: What we know is that no independent has ever come close to winning.
