Democrats may be right to be concerned about ex-Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz's potential run for the presidency in 2020, as a new poll shows Democrats and voters who oppose President Donald Trump may be open to supporting an independent candidate.
According to a Politico/Morning Consult Poll released Monday, 41 percent of anti-Trump voters would consider voting for a third-party candidate, compared to 26 percent who approve of him.
In addition, 31 percent of Democrats said they'd consider a third-party candidate, compared to 25 percent of Republicans.
That may not mean Schultz could win, but rather that he'd be a spoiler for Democrats, the numbers suggest:
- 35 percent said they'd consider a third-party candidate;
- 12 percent said they'd be very likely to look outside the major parties.
- As for voters who are open to supporting a third-party candidacy:
- 49 percent of independents very or somewhat likely;
- 42 percent of moderates are likely to consider an outside candidate;
- Younger voters are more expected to vote for a third-party candidate.
Third-party candidates generally don't do well in presidential elections, but Texas billionaire Ross Perot, who spent $64 billion of his own money in 1992, got 18.9 percent of the vote, effectively splitting the ballot.
Schultz has said if he runs, it would be as a centrist independent, as he believes the Democratic party has moved too far left.
Sandy Fitzgerald ✉
Sandy Fitzgerald has more than three decades in journalism and serves as a general assignment writer for Newsmax covering news, media, and politics.
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