Howard Schultz vs. Kanye West for PRESIDENT in 2020?

Hello, Believe Nation! So I find it interesting that two of the people that I have on the wall behind me are both considering running for President of the United States in a future election. The first, Howard Schultz, directly behind me, is the CEO and founder of Starbucks. And the second, far on the wall there, Mr. Kanye West. So I want to play a clip from each of them and then get your thoughts.

He is perhaps the most outspoken leader in corporate America. Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz has been vocal about his stance on guns, gay rights, race relations, and money in politics. So every time I interview Howard, I ask him one question. 10 times I've asked, maybe?

Probably more than that.

So, should we make it 11?

Okay.

Will you ever run for president, Howard?

You know, I think, as we have discussed this many times, my own life experience has given me a unique unique perspective on the plight of working-class American people. And the position and the platform I've had at Starbucks has given me the voice and the opportunity to do many things that I don't think I could have ever done as an elected official. Having said that, I'm a young man. There's a lot of time in the future of the country and what I might and might not do. I would never say never, but this is not the right time.

You have said no previously. This is the first time I've heard you say, "I'm a young man." It's true.

I've been reminded by friends of mine who heard me say that this morning that I'm no longer that young. So we'll have to see how that goes.

Regardless of your political persuasion, I think everyone in this room with probably 100% participation can agree that what we have witnessed over the last year is inconsistent with the values and guiding principles of the promise of our country. We can also agree that our parents and our grandparents would be embarrassed to see what we have witnessed. And yet, as private citizens, we are watching and observing and actually being bystanders and allowing this to go on. I travel perhaps more than any other CEO in the world internationally and specifically to China. People cannot believe what is going on in this country. But what I would— What I would submit is even though the political season has highlighted all of this, this is nothing new. What we're witnessing with vitriol and the hatred and the divisiveness is a manifestation of what has gone on the last 20 and 30 years, and that is the lack of truth and authenticity of people who are elected officials in Washington. We as private citizens must recognize that the democracy of this country that people fought so hard for and sacrificed so much for is something that we must embrace and we must participate. And whether or not we're voting for president this year or the next 4 years, it's the decisions we make every day. It's local politics, it's regional politics, and we must participate and we must vote. And we must get control of the direction of the country and not wait for Washington, not blame Washington, and recognize, as we launch today, with this new original content series called Upstanders, that there are thousands of Americans, ordinary people, doing extraordinary things. These stories must be told, and it must be catalytic, and not just look at Washington as a problem, but look at the American people and say, we can solve things in our own communities.

Are these the people, Howard, that changed your answer to my question about will you run for president from no to— I'm serious— from no to I'm a young man?

You always come back to that. You know, I think the last year, the concern I have about the future of the country has made me think about a lot of things.

I've been conflicted, bro. I just wanted people to like me more. But fuck that, bro. And yes, as you probably could have guessed by this moment, I have decided in 2020 to run for president.

So I have my own thoughts on Howard Schultz versus Kanye that ended up becoming the political matchup. I haven't gone into the political territory much or ever, I don't think, on this channel. We featured politicians from both sides of the spectrum because I feel like you can learn from everybody, whether they're Republican or Democrat or independent, but I'm curious, what do you guys think? Who would you vote for? Howard Schultz or Kanye West if that was the ticket? Have a little bit of fun. Don't spread a lot of hate, guys. Just have a little bit of fun. Who would you vote for if that was the 2020 ticket? Howard Schultz or Kanye West? Leave it down in the comments below. Super curious to find out. Thank you guys so much for watching. I believe in you. I hope you continue to believe in yourself. And whatever your one word is. Much love. I'll see you soon.