Good riddance Schultz. Now will Trump be the next billionaire to go?

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

Will someone rid American politics of these turbulent billionaires, who are bent on seizing our country's public square?

A few signs of late that the public may be ready, with rich guys dragging and polls showing a readiness to take out the most obnoxious billionaire in next year's election.

The male post-midlife crisis of Howard Schultz ended on Friday when the former Starbucks CEO announced he won't run as an independent for president. He cited the danger it would help reelect another billionaire, Donald Trump.

The Schultz trial balloon came crashing to earth within days of its launch last January with a "60 Minutes" puff piece. He simply found no support.

Hubris still burns brightly in "green" California billionaire Tom Steyer. He spent $16 million trying to jack up his poll ratings to qualify for the Democrats' third candidate debate. Voters weren't buying. He couldn't reach the requisite 2%. Two percent!

By coming late into the race, Steyer rained on the stalled parade of the real climate candidate, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee. Neither could gain traction, and Inslee dropped out of the race. Steyer is supposedly a friend of Inslee.

In America's new Guilded Age, the very rich have taken politics to the grass roots of the country clubs of America. They have resources to run or flirt with running. They can organize a network (e.g. the Koch Brothers) to purchase or threaten officeholders. They can single-handedly prop up a presidential candidate.

No rules limit what they can spend, or what can be spent . . . thanks to the 2010 U.S. Supreme Court ruling -- Citizens United -- that overturned 103 years of effort to limit the role of money in politics.

https://www.seattlepi.com/local/politics/article/Connelly-Good-riddance-to-billionaire-Schultz-14420112.php?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=dailynewsletterspi&utm_term=spi

[lagomorph777]

1. So can we get these guys to pump some cash into useful stuff?

Say, supporting Senate campaigns?

[kurtcagle]

2. I like Inslee

and was sad to see him end his campaign, though I thought when he threw his hat in the ring that it was a long-shot. I still expect him to be nominated for a cabinet position if the Dems win.

As to the broader issues - CEOs have generally made for poor presidents. They tend to be more autocratic than is healthy, see the world primarily from the perspective of Wall Street and typically don't have the skills that come with managing multiple political interests that are outside of their control. Truman and Harding both come to mind.

I don't think Shultz would have been a bad president, but I do suspect he'd do better with a stint or two as a governor or senator first.

Also, let's be honest - even before Citizens United, being wealthy was pretty much a prerequisite for higher political office. There are exceptions, but they are rare.

[Thekaspervote]

3. Drumpf a billionaire...that's a stretch!!