Howard Schultz collaborates with McCain strategist Steve Schmidt

Howard Schultz, the former Starbucks billionaire, who is considering an independent candidacy for the presidency, is leaving the summer for political activities and fired several staff members, but he's sticking to the veteran strategist Steve Schmidt.

"Steve has been advising Howard for a long time and will continue to do so," said a Schultz assistant who declined to be named. Schultz, added the assistant, "is realigning his team as he moves on to the next phase of an exploration."

Schmidt was a senior campaign strategist during Senator John McCain's 2008 presidential campaign and was, until the end of this year, a frequent and keen media critic of President Donald Trump.

Schultz has drastically reduced his political activities since he announced in January that he would consider a centrist bid for the presidency, aimed at both Trump and what he called a growing Democratic party. more liberal.

On Wednesday, Schultz issued a statement that he was recovering from three back surgeries. He said he would be "back in touch after Labor Day" but did not say whether his next announcement would be on a possible race for the presidency.

Schultz's last engagement took place in April in Arizona. He canceled events in Utah, San Francisco and Dallas.

While Schultz is not in the spotlight, Schmidt and his team will continue to help the former Starbucks boss "assess the landscape and the viability of running for president as a freelancer." "said another assistant, who refused to be named.

Schmidt himself has become black. His last public remarks came in February, when he published his own podcast after his co-hosts told him about supporting Schultz. During the interview, he said that he was going to open a 501c4 dedicated to building a third movement funded by Schultz. Until now, none of this has come to fruition.

Schmidt, who left the Republican Party in 2018, even reduced his social media presence, where he regularly pummeled Trump. His latest tweet came on Jan. 24, when he thanked the House GOP for voting against a bill banning Trump from deciding to withdraw from the Treaty Organization. North Atlantic.

Schmidt did not return repeated requests for comments.

The Schultz break comes as former Vice President Joe Biden continues to enjoy significant support in the polls. Biden is considered a centrist democrat and is perceived as a candidate capable of capturing the kind of moderate voters Schultz would seek.

People close to Schultz have said that the strength of Biden's call will be a determining factor in whether the coffee mogul officially embarks on the race for the presidency.

Biden is still ahead of the vast Democratic realm in national and regional polls. According to an average of polls Real Clear Politics, Biden ahead its 22 rivals with an average of 32%. Self-proclaimed Social Democratic Senator Bernie Sanders ranks second with an average of 16%.