“How many of you would consider yourselves fiscally more conservative but socially more liberal?” As I travel around the country speaking to groups of business executives about public opinion and U.S. politics, I often pose that question to the audience. People look around the room, nodding approvingly, feeling validated that […] Read more »
Spoiler Alert? The impact of third party presidential candidates
Former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz is considering a 2020 presidential run as an independent, and Democrats are in panic mode. On this episode of Poll Hub, our crackerjack team looks at the role of previous third party candidates and assesses how they impact the prospects of major party candidates. Then, […] Read more »
There Are Not Enough Electoral Votes for Howard Schultz
Many Democrats and liberals are understandably freaking out over reports that former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz, a life-long Democrat, is considering an independent bid for the presidency in 2020. The fears are well-placed. The candidacy of an amply-funded, center-left Democrat might very well split the anti-Trump vote in a November […] Read more »
America Isn’t Really Set Up For Third-Party Presidential Bids
Former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz’s dalliance with a 2020 presidential run as an independent has sparked outrage among many in the Democratic Party who are worried he’d divert votes away from their nominee and help President Trump get re-elected. Schultz could give voters tired of Washington gridlock an alternative choice […] Read more »
Many Challenges Inhibit An Independent White House Bid
Rachel Martin talks to political scientist Brendan Nyhan of the University of Michigan about the long odds against independent political candidates. Morning Edition, NPR Read more »
Could Howard Schultz Help Re-elect the President?
At this point in the 1992 election cycle, George H.W. Bush’s approval rating was over 80 percent. A little more than a year later, he trailed the independent candidate Ross Perot in national polls. So it is probably premature to confidently assess whether there’s an opening for Howard Schultz, a […] Read more »