Former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz on Possible 2020 Presidential Run: I’m Not ‘in Bed With a Party’

Former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz is seriously considering running for president in 2020 and he plans to do it as a “centrist independent.”

During an interview with 60 Minutes that aired on Sunday, Schultz said this about his plans:

 I am seriously thinking of running for president. I will run as a centrist independent, outside of the two-party system we’re living at a most-fragile time not only the fact that this president is not qualified to be the president, but the fact that both parties are consistently not doing what’s necessary on behalf of the American people and are engaged, every single day, in revenge politics.

In response, 60 Minutes’ Scott Pelley asked Schultz why he would run as an independent when his views align with Democrats.

“I’ve been a lifelong Democrat. I look at both parties— we see extremes on both sides well, we are sitting, today, with approximately $21.5 trillion of debt, which is a reckless example, not only of Republicans, but of Democrats, as well, as a reckless failure of their constitutional responsibility,” he replied.

Pelley also asked Schultz if he thought he would “siphon” off votes from the Democrats.

Schultz said he wanted to see the American people win.

“I wanna see America win. I don’t care if you’re a Democrat, Independent, Libertarian, Republican,” he further explained. “Bring me your ideas. And I will be an independent person, who will embrace those ideas. Because I am not, in any way, in bed with a party.”

Watch above, via CBS