Former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz announces that he "is seriously considering running for the presidency" as an "independent"

• Former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz said Sunday that he was "seriously considering" running for the presidency.
• Schultz said he would run as a "centrist independence" and, in an interview for "60 minutes," criticized the Democratic and Republican parties for their commitment to a "revenge policy."
• In response to criticism that his candidacy would divert votes from Democratic candidates and possibly hand over a second term to President Donald Trump, Schultz said his lack of political affiliation would be a "victory" for Americans.

Former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz announced Sunday that he is seriously considering becoming an independent candidate in 2020.

"I love our country and I seriously consider running for president as a centrist independent," he said. tweeted Sunday night.

In an interview with The New York Times, Schultz announced that he would travel across the country for a reading tour over the next three months, during which he would decide whether or not to formally declare his application.

In a 60-minute interview with correspondent Scott Pelley, Schultz hammered President Donald Trump for his lack of qualifications. But he also targeted both Democrats and Republicans to sow division across the country and contribute to what he termed a "fragile period" in America.

"Not only the fact that this president is not qualified to be president, but also the fact that the two parties never do what is necessary for the American people and engage every day in a policy of revenge," he said. -he declares.

Rumors of an independent Schultz campaign have been spreading for weeks and have worried the country's Democrats.

"I have two words for Howard Schultz on a potential candidacy for the presidency as an" independent: Just. Don ", said the Democratic Party of Washington President. , Tina Podlodowski, in a statement released by Business Insider, Kate Taylor.

When Pelley asked him if he feared his candidacy would "dodge" the votes of the Democratic candidates and propel Trump to a second victory, Schultz said his absence of party would be a "victory" for the Americans.

"I want to see the American people win, I want to see America win," he said. "No matter how democratic, independent, libertarian, republican, bring me your ideas, and I will be an independent person who will accept these ideas, because I am in no way in bed with a party."

Schultz was CEO of Starbucks until his resignation in April 2017. He subsequently resigned as president in June 2018 and again sparked rumors of a presidential candidacy. arrives on January 28th.

Lydia Ramsey contributed to the report.

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