Howard Schultz says he's not running for president, cites indifference of 'exhausted majority'


With 20 or so Democrats still running for president and a small but hardy band of Republicans challenging President Trump for the GOP nomination, you might have forgotten that former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz was also likely running to be America's chief executive. Well, now he's not. On Friday, Schultz told supporters in a letter that he is formally dropping out of the race, explaining that it was harder than he had expected to catch fire among moderate voters and he doesn't want to risk helping re-elect Trump.
Schultz, 66, announced his intention to run for president as an independent in January, appeared on TV quite a bit, then dropped out of view, explaining later that he had undergone three back surgeries. In Friday's three-page letter, Schultz insisted that American has a "exhausted majority who want common sense, collaborative, and truthful government," but said they have "largely tuned out of political life," and so "extreme voices currently dominate the national dialogue, often with a vitriol that crowds out and discourages thoughtful discussions."
Schultz also appeared to suggest that he did not want to risk siphoning votes from former Vice President Joe Biden or another Democrat whose views overlap with his own. "If I went forward, there is a risk that my name would appear on ballots even if a moderate Democrat wins the nomination, and that is not a risk I am willing to take," he wrote. Democratic leaders, The Washington Post notes, will be relieved at Schultz's decision.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Can US tourism survive Trump's policies?
Today's Big Question The tourist economy is 'heading in the wrong direction'
-
September's books tell of friendship in middle age, teachers versus fascists, and Covid psychosis
the week recommends September books include Angela Flournoy's 'The Wilderness,' Randi Weingarten's 'Why Fascists Fear Teachers' and Patricia Lockwood's 'Will There Ever Be Another You'
-
'Total rat eradication in New York has been deemed impossible'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Epstein accusers urge full file release, hint at own list
speed read A rally was organized by Reps. Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie, who are hoping to force a vote on their Epstein Files Transparency Act
-
Court hands Harvard a win in Trump funding battle
Speed Read The Trump administration was ordered to restore Harvard's $2 billion in research grants
-
Florida aims to end all state vaccine requirements
Speed Read Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. continues to cut vaccine access and install anti-vaccine activists at the FDA and CDC
-
US kills 11 on 'drug-carrying boat' off Venezuela
Speed Read Trump claimed those killed in the strike were 'positively identified Tren de Aragua Narcoterrorists' shipping drugs to the US
-
Trump vows to send federal forces to Chicago, Baltimore
Speed Read The announcement followed a California judge ruling that Trump's LA troop deployment was illegal
-
Trump crypto token launch earns family billions
Speed Read The World Liberty Financial token is now the Trump family's 'most valuable asset'
-
RFK Jr. names new CDC head as staff revolt
Speed Read Kennedy installed his deputy, Jim O'Neill, as acting CDC director
-
DC prosecutors lose bid to indict sandwich thrower
Speed Read Prosecutors sought to charge Sean Dunn with assaulting a federal officer