The 2020 Democratic primary field may be the most wide-open in recent memory—perhaps even in the history of American politics—and as candidates prepare to announce presidential bids, there are already arguments being made as to their respective strengths and weaknesses.
To get a sense of what experts think will prove helpful and harmful for candidates who have announced their intention to unseat President Donald Trump, The Daily Beast spoke with opposition researchers and operatives in both parties—people whose job it is to understand and exploit the vulnerabilities of those running for office.
Today, we look at Howard Schultz, the billionaire founder of Starbucks Coffee whose flirtation with an independent run for the White House has infuriated Democrats and the Twitter commentariat alike. While his past business experience, combined with Trump’s soft poll numbers among a certain slice of the conservative electorate, may add a little wind to Schultz’s back, opposition researchers told The Daily Beast that Schultz’s insistence on an independent run—and voter distaste over his perceived egotism—may kill his candidacy in the crib.