Former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz vowed he will not be a spoiler if he enters the 2020 race for president.
Schultz, who is considering making a White House bid as an independent centrist candidate, made his comments in a Tuesday posting on Medium.
“As I’m sure you’ve seen, there have been some skeptical and even downright angry comments from party activists and inside-the-Beltway pundits in the press and on social media,” he said. “Others have expressed genuine fears that an independent candidate could help re-elect President (Donald) Trump.
“I hear and respect this overriding concern and have repeatedly promised that I will not be a spoiler. I am committed to ensuring that I will do nothing to re-elect Donald Trump. I mean it.”
He warned against those people who believe “any opponent can oust Trump, no matter how far to the left they are…”
“Those so concerned about a centrist independent being a spoiler should perhaps ask another question: Will the eventual Democratic nominee be the party’s own version of a spoiler?’ he said. “Of course, it’s too early to know who the nominee will be. We must let the process play out.”
Schultz said he will be listening the American people, rather than relying “on partisans or pundits.”
“I will be most influenced by what I see and hear from my fellow citizens across the country,” he said. “I want to listen to those whose voices have been drowned out or ignored for far too long.”
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