Wednesday, February 13, 2019

Howard Schultz Libertarian trial balloon floated

Why Howard Schult could go Libertarian - Steven Nelson, Washington Examiner:

February 13, 2019 - "Former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz may be able to avoid a 50-state scramble for presidential ballot access by seeking the Libertarian Party’s support.

"Members of the large national third party, which took more than 3 percent of the vote in 2016, are intrigued by Schultz and might be willing to give him the party nomination in 2020, meaning he would not have to gather hundreds of thousands of signatures as an independent.

"Schultz has branded himself a 'centrist independent' as he teases a potential challenge to President Trump. But he has Libertarians swooning over his concern about the national debt and opposition to socialist policies such as single-payer healthcare, free college, and high taxes.

"''Mr. Schultz describes himself as fiscally conservative and socially liberal, so I kindly encourage Mr. Schultz to look at our platform, as that title goes hand in hand with what the Libertarian Party stands for,' said Florida Libertarian Party Chairman Marcos Miralles....

"California Libertarian Party Chairwoman Mimi Robson said ... 'He’s definitely a fiscal conservative and he appears to be generally for civil liberties and individual rights... There's kind of a wait and see attitude'.... Robson said she doesn’t have a stance on Schultz, but does have advice. 'If he’s thinking about doing a run and doing it independently, I think that's not the best way to win,' she said....

"Schultz, raised in a Brooklyn housing project, has made his rags-to-riches tale of free-market success central to his possible campaign, while emphasizing Starbucks’ voluntary commitment to worker welfare. If he seeks the Libertarian nomination, however, it would reopen a debate between party purists and those willing to accept a more mainstream candidate. Recently, the more mainstream wing has won out, nominating former Republican Gov. Gary Johnson of New Mexico for president in 2012 and 2016....

"Nicholas Sarwark, chairman of the national Libertarian Party, said some of Schultz’s political positions are well in-line with the party, but others could be problematic.... 'his position on gun control would probably be very unpopular with libertarians.' Schultz said he believes 'guns of war' should be banned....

"Schultz's spokespeople did not respond to a request for comment."

Read more: https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/white-house/why-howard-schultz-could-go-libertarian
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