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Tuesday, November 10, 2026Nov 10

Dionne: Howard Schultz and the Frappuccino Syndrome

Former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz is interviewed by FOX News Anchor Dana Perino for her "The Daily Briefing" program, in New York, on Wednesday. Schultz said he's flirting with an independent presidential campaign that would motivate voters turned off by both parties. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
Former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz is interviewed by FOX News Anchor Dana Perino for her "The Daily Briefing" program, in New York, on Wednesday. Schultz said he's flirting with an independent presidential campaign that would motivate voters turned off by both parties. (AP Photo/Richard Drew) Former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz is interviewed by FOX News Anchor Dana Perino for her "The Daily Briefing" program, in New York, on Wednesday. Schultz said he's flirting with an independent presidential campaign that would motivate voters turned off by both parties. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

WASHINGTON – Holy Chestnut Praline Latte! There was Howard Schultz, the former Starbucks CEO, making a case Wednesday for why Americans would flock to him if he decides to run for president as an independent. “They’re not going to vote for a left-wing Elizabeth Warren, Kamala Harris candidate,” he explained.

The crashing you heard just then was the sound of thousands of Caramel Macchiatos hurled at televisions broadcasting “Morning Joe,” where the coffee king appeared.

Was I alone in wondering why the man who thinks he will save our nation yoked together two very different female candidates as the collective image of all he sees wrong with the Democratic Party? Was it really just about their views on health care or taxes?

First, let’s put the most sympathetic spin on Schultz’s exertions: He’s hawking books. I’ll even help him here: His memoir is called “From the Ground Up.”

His toying with the presidency might thus be another illustration of the marketing genius that persuaded so many to believe (wrongly, in my view) that Starbucks is better than Dunkin’. We’re all talking about him!