Starbucks CEO Plans Nonpartisan Political Town Hall With ‘No Labels’ Group — But Are We Sure About That?
- Posted on September 3, 2011 at 2:24pm by
Madeleine Morgenstern
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Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz will be hosting a national town hall on Tuesday in an attempt to attempt to give voice to all citizens. (AP File Photo)
It started last month when Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz called on other CEOs to halt contributions to U.S. political campaigns until the nation’s leaders become financially disciplined and stop their political wrangling.
Now, he said he wants to give a voice to all citizens by holding a national telephone forum on Tuesday, to be hosted by nonpartisan group No Labels.
No Labels formed late last year to provide a voice for the country’s moderate, independent voters and to try to find nonpartisan solutions to the country’s problems.
But some have questioned whether the organization is not just another liberal group masquerading behind its well-intentioned “No Labels” name. For one thing, its list of prominent members certainly trends Democratic, and several of its main Republicans are no longer in office.
Rush Limbaugh blasted the group shortly after they launched last year:
Combined with Schultz’s own avowed liberal politics and his more than $115,000 in past donations to Democrats, it stands to reason whether this forum — the same week as the GOP debate and president’s jobs speech — could have an agenda of its own after all, even with careful statements to the contrary.
Schultz talked about his concerns to Fox News last week:
Schultz is running ads in the New York Times and USA Today ahead of the event, featuring an open letter that urges Americans to participate in the forum and insist politicians end their hyper-partisan behavior.
“We must send the message to today’s elected officials…that the time to put citizenship ahead of partisanship is now,” he said in the letter.
Here is how the group is advertising the event on their web site:
Schultz said he was moved to hold the forum after receiving hundreds of e-mails and letters from citizens who were struggling to find jobs, keep their homes or send their children to school given the economic conditions.
“It looks like we struck a nerve with so many people,” Schultz told the Associated Press. “I feel a personal responsibility to create a public dialogue and make a voice for people who feel like they can’t be heard.”
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.
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Comments (127)
Smokey_Bojangles
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 3:36pmIf you saw where Star Bucks political donations go,you would not drink the bitter,nasty,overpriced mud.Coffee at McD’s tastes better,costs less, you do not have to put with self righteous,elite,self centered,self styled intellectuals and The left hates McDonald’s!
Report Post »michael48
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 4:24pm100% Lib-Tard Commune Crowd….what do you exspect…Seattle Wash.??????? the entire Left Coast is blue but trying desperately to become part of the “Red Brigade”…he!! these lunatics think you can smell N. Korea from here…actually it’s the gay bay area..
Report Post »INOGAWD
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 7:46pmI’m pretty much set on TEA, Myself…Can’t afford Lefty Libo Bullshi**…
Shultz must have gotten a call from Camp David and the Soros Bunch..
I don‘t give a damn about label’s either, just SAY Fiscal Responsibility.
Doesn’t seem to be happening with This Administration..The middle
Class are paying Big Time for Obamas Policies..over twice as much
for GAS….and 40% MORE for FOOD..and I have a lot of friends out
of WORK…..Mr Shultz YOU can tell OBAMA to stick his policies right
up his Presidential AZZ..
Report Post »CatB
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 9:47pmI agree .. Starbucks coffee sucks … Dunkin Doughnuts has the BEST! As for this “moderate” just another WOLF IN SHEEPS CLOTHING .. they will TRY anything .. KEEP EXPOSING THEM!
TEA!
Report Post »TomFerrari
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 9:58pmGetting harder and harder to find good coffee these days.
Other posters are correct, Starbucks is way overpriced, and has a strong paper flavor and the acid flavor is too high for my liking as well – and I even enjoy a strong roast!!
I have to echo the McDonalds tip – good coffee – great price!! And even on more corners that SB!!
7-11 is also atop my list, but brews vary from one location to another.
I suspect the responsibility he felt driving him to do this was a responsibility to put more cash in the bank.
Though I did have to ask myself, wasn’t it SB who refused to ban guns???
.
Report Post ».
GIDEON612
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 10:54pmA conservative is one that holds tradition values and views. Traditionally Biblical views.
Report Post »I do not darken the door of an establishment that uses a greek god as their symbol.
Nuf Said.
touch
Posted on September 4, 2011 at 12:33amACTIONS speak louder than words. If he deviates from his rhetoric and leaves ANY doubt as to where he stands, LEAVE HIM!
Report Post »Ron_WA
Posted on September 4, 2011 at 1:14amActually if you look carefully, Starbucks donations tend to go towards liberal leaning politicos but also towards the most high-tech, anti-regulatory, and innovative free enterprise pols – so there’s a true dichotomy there.
Report Post »ireport uderide
Posted on September 4, 2011 at 8:18amDoesn’t it seem obvious that Schultz is upset by the Supreme Court ruling in January 2010 in favor of Citizen United and political contributions by corporations?
Fun Facts;
Supreme Court decision in January 2010, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citizens_United_v._Federal_Election_Commission
No Labels founded “late last year”?
I found a No Labels Blog posting dated July 2010.
They were hiring office staff as early as May 2010.
Co-Founders include mostly Democrat supporters and John McCain Wonks.
Remember all this started with the McCain/Feingold anti First Amendment Act.
So cut the cr*p Schultz, don’t do to the Constitution what you did to the Seattle Sonics.
If anyone is interested go to their web site and dig a little.
Report Post »Jamestownrd
Posted on September 4, 2011 at 8:49amStarbucks is for illigitimates
Report Post »SamIamTwo
Posted on September 4, 2011 at 10:25amI am a conservative and I love Starbucks coffee.
GB audience is getting to be worse.
You’ve prejudged the man and claim you are conservative?
GB you need to stop asking questions and dig up the news…give the man the benefit of the doubt until proven otherwise.
Talk about herding people, your group seems to be doing the same without facts…
What you think these questions are a per-emptive strike or are you trying to push it further?
Report Post »Ruler4You
Posted on September 4, 2011 at 11:09amTwo things you can be SURE of, politicians and (big) business are synonymous with lying. Motive rule everything at this level. This guy doesn’t squat without a motive.
Report Post »marybethelizabeth
Posted on September 4, 2011 at 11:14amNow just a second.
Report Post »These events are perfect for you keys.
You alternately present yourself as having solutions that are contrary to the brainwashed general public or having solutions that the general public supports but that the evil media suppresses.
Either way, any kind of community discussion should be perfect for you.
You don’t need Mr. Beck to tell you what to say.
If you don’t present your fascist solutions, who will?
NuffSaid
Posted on September 4, 2011 at 3:15pmCEO of Starbucks will kiss any ass.
Report Post »taksavillage
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 3:36pmLet me put it even simpler. You don’t want to send me a check for any amount. ZERO… NADA. I’d like you to send me $1,000,000. Why don’t we compromise and you can sent me $500,000? That’s the position the Libs have taken and Conservatives have tried to hold against. Notice I don‘t say Republicans because many Republicans would have taken that deal too since it was with OTHER PEOPLES’ MONEY.
Report Post »taksavillage
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 3:35pmA compromise with someone who wants to make a left turn when you want to make a right is not a good idea when going straight or turning left leads over a cliff.
Report Post »INOGAWD
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 8:31pmBama doesn’t need money, He’s been campaigning for
Report Post »almost 3 years and has over a billion dollars.. so what
is Shultz all about ???? you know he’s not going to give
the Republicans mony anyway..So what the Hell ????
netmail
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 3:24pmIt’ll be a Left Fest for the Leftists who feel Left Behind. Right?
Report Post »milkah
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 3:24pmWho can afford Starbucks, Maxwellhouse instant is where i’m at. Why do we support companies who are for everything we’re against.
Report Post »ecurbyy
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 10:57pmI agree. I’ve never bought a coffee at Starbucks. All it took for me was a glance at their menu and prices. I left and never looked back. I don’t know about their politics but I do know what a good cup of coffee costs to make.
Report Post »hi
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 3:22pmIt is so stupid they are talking about bipartisanship when the dems are trying to destroy America, and the Republicans are trying to restore it. So, of course we aren’t going to compromise on any more destructive policies!!!!!!!
We don’t need to come together. We need to have a Republican President, House, and Senate so we can restore our economy and most important, restore FREEDOM!!!!
We are not compromising with those who HATE the USA.
I’m done with Starbucks.
Report Post »woodyl1011fl
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 3:19pmSchultz is Soros wannabe! This is nothing more than a progressive/Marxist/democrat party front group. The peoples republics of the east coast, NY, MD,DE, Conn.,RI, MA, VT, NH and CA probably will buy it hook line and sinker. Don’t need to fund his socialist political actions so buy his coffee but will continue to buy coffee beans, not Starbucks, and make my own!
Report Post »RightPolitically
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 3:09pmI’m sure that Mr. Schultz’s forum will be just as non-partisan as some other liberal biased groups that hide those biases by having a “neutral” seeming name. Take the N.A.A.C.P. for example. As Rush Limbaugh claims, they need an additional “L” in their name right before the “C” to note the fact that they only care about Liberal Colored People, not all people of color. And how about the Congressional Black Caucus that wished to keep new U.S.Representative Allen West out of their group because he’s a conservative? Now, of course, Congressman West will probably leave them due to the hateful, racist rhetoric coming from many of their members in recent statements. And last but not least, we have the National Organization of Women. Another “L” is needed there too in honor of their far left bias. When sexist attacks and crude remakes are leveled against the likes of Sarah Palin or Michele Bachmann, what do we hear from this fine group of hypocrites……. THE SOUNDS OF SILENCE!
Dear Mr. Schultz, you make a mean cup of coffee, yes, a bit over-priced with lots of atmosphere to boot, but please, stick to something REAL, wud ya? Coffee!
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 3:07pmYou don’t get to be CEO of Starbucks by being nonpartisan. It’s a liberal company from a liberal town and I guarantee they have a liberal litmus test to advance that far in the company. My bet is this guy is about as nonpartisan as Nancy Pelosi.
Report Post »1TrueOne55
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 4:25pmShultz bought the company from the Original owners many decades ago when they were a local Seattle Coffee bean company. The original founders rejected Shultz’s idea of selling brewed coffee to the public. He then started his own set of coffee houses in Seattle which gave him enough money to buy Starbuck’s and create the company it is today.
And the “NO LABELS” is a scam just like the Green Jobs Czar position was at the White House. Those were jobs of reparations pure and simple, when they were only for African American ex-cons, this was Van Jones big push in the Black Community when he was tagged by Valerie Jarrett to come to the Obama Administration.
Report Post »momprayn
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 3:06pmYes, I remember when this first came about and it was pointed out that these were just more Progressive types trying to be “cute” with their use of words/titles once again. They don’t know so many of us are now onto their sneaky tactics. Oh well……..they won’t get anywhere, no worries. Tea Party is the one that will grow ….to their dismay. Onward!!!
Report Post »loriann12
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 4:59pmSounds to me like “Progressives” became “No-labels” because it’s too fresh in our minds when they were called liberals. I‘m surprised they don’t take over the Libertarian name….or try to blow smoke up our A $ $ es by trying to claim they’re the Democracy party. check into it, Progressives changed their name from liberals when the wanted to associate Progress with their movement over a hundred years ago. then they tried to go back to Progressives, but we know our history. Democracy is the buzz word these days, how can you be against Democracy when so many liberals think that’s what we have. They can’t take Republicans, it’s already taken. We’re a Republic.
Report Post »EzyMnyJim
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 3:06pmThey better be careful or Starbuck will end up like Air America, i think that is what it was calledLOL
Report Post »W@nd@
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 3:04pmwe have that already
Report Post »it is called the TEA PARTY and
our voice is getting stronger each and every day!
Mr. Oshawott
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 3:01pmI have a feeling that this “No-Label Group” is simply a way to divert notice away from some sort of scheme that the Starbucks CEO may be attempting to pull off.
Report Post »Rogue
Posted on September 4, 2011 at 1:41amMy guess is he and his Soros loving cohorts realized that Obama already has a billion in the bank waiting for reelection, so why allow the Republican candidate to catch up? Fake outrage to limit funding to both sides..starting…….now.
If Obama didn’t have a huge financial lead right now, Shultz would be busy writing a check instead of doing a town hall.
Report Post »Rol
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 3:01pmanother example of the liberals use of the Overton window effect.They do it in our schools and in the media. Convince the average American that what are actually left of center views are mainstream norms.
Report Post »orlandojon
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 3:00pmHe should stick to selling his over priced swill…
Report Post »chips1
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 2:59pmThey are so mafraid of the Tea Party, that they are trying to start their own group. Devide and conquer. Bunch of Obamas freaks.
Report Post »Make a difference
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 2:58pmIts funny he wants to give the people a voice …seems they have a voice and were heard loud and clear last November it just seems he doesn’t like what he heard …maybe the people should let him hear it again but not going to his stores ….
can you hear us NOW ??????
Report Post »Jeffrey777
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 2:58pmRemember when ducan dumbass donuts pulled thier support (coffee) from the troops in afganistan.
Report Post »They can kiss my white ass as well.
Jeffrey777
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 2:57pmF&^K starbucks. I can make my own coffee.
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 3:03pm…and a lot cheaper too, I might add.
Report Post »INOGAWD
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 8:08pmObama gets another another term, Shultz can kiss his coffee
Report Post »Biz. goodbye. Cant afford Gas and FOOD now…. I’m sure they
are starting to feel the pinch too…..Food up 40% since Obama
took office, and GAS has doubled in price…WTH ??? The price
of Oil has gone down this week but GAS has gone up 10 cents
WHAT IS GOING ON ????????
drago
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 2:57pmSchultz is running adds in the nyt and usa todays, yea, no partizanship there, and no readers outside a few libturds…….
Report Post »ANTINARCISSIST
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 2:56pmSchultz is feeling a little disingenuous? He’s part of the problem. Wasn’t Obama his savior, and weren’t the Tea Parties something for his marketing team to make fun of? Starbucks isn’t the only coffee chain out there; there is plenty of competition.
Report Post »freestaterev
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 2:49pmNo Labels is full of progressives..In their eyes, anyone who stands firm on an issue is deemed “toxic”…don’t take my word- it’s in their own “core belief” statement:
“Ideological extremism and political litmus tests are toxic and destructive to creating a space where the best ideas can be found and enacted.”
In other words, if you are a Constitution defending voter who refuses to support a candidate who supports banning guns, then you are “toxic and destructive” and need to step back from your beliefs and “come together to make government work smoothly”…sounds familiar doesn’t it??
Their board is full of progressive think-tank people. They are incredibly subtle, but they seem to be the Obama “Hope and Change” people who feel like fools, but still are looking for the same old stuff that Obama was preaching in ‘08…
Buyers beware of this group…
Report Post »Smokey_Bojangles
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 2:48pmWhite Elephant for sale!Includes a can of touch up paint.When the term “No Labels” is used it means no labels such as Communist,Progressive,socialist, or democrat.The only labels allowed are the terms,Nazi,Racist, and Fascist when referring to Republicans or Conservatives.
Report Post »Mike777
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 2:48pmIts a ruse hide your wallet………………….
Report Post »lovenfl3
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 2:41pmYou ahve to love the liberals and their transparent tactics. Whenever they’re on the downside, they don’t want “labels.” Funny they didn’t mind the labels in 2008 when they were on top of the political scene. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbJylJQ3JGE
Report Post »