And the next possible 2020 candidate to get a CNN town hall is... (REALLY bothering Soledad O'Brien & Nate Silver)

Not long ago CNN provided a platform for their first town hall featuring a 2020 candidate, which was Kamala Harris. Is another Democrat up next? Nope. It’s an independent who hasn’t yet declared his candidacy:

CNN to host Town Hall for Howard Schultz in Texas next week. Poppy Harlow to moderate: https://t.co/zB4tgmu6TM

— Joe Concha (@JoeConchaTV) February 6, 2019

And with that, Soledad O’Brien and Nate Silver were among those left wondering why:

In case you’re wondering if CNN is going to fall over themselves to elevate famous billionaires in this election cycle, yet again: a town hall for a guy who hasn’t announced he’s running. *sigh* https://t.co/ynA4irlegY

— Soledad O'Brien (@soledadobrien) February 6, 2019

A town hall on the impact of redlining? A town hall on income inequality? A town hall on the suffering the continues in Puerto Rico. A town hall on why Americans don’t have $400 in savings? A town hall on the long term implications of the shutdown?

— Soledad O'Brien (@soledadobrien) February 6, 2019

This this this. https://t.co/urEnRMqARI

— Soledad O'Brien (@soledadobrien) February 6, 2019

This seems like a dubious decision. A lot of other candidates are far more popular and/or more likely to become president than Schultz, but have received far less airtime. He's also not even officially a candidate yet. And he's not very well-informed on public policy. https://t.co/kg21T44AFk

— Nate Silver (@NateSilver538) February 6, 2019

Have they offered one to, say, @PeteButtigieg? He's (1) actually running for president and (2) is a lot better informed on public policy than Schultz. And equally if not more likely to actually become president (both are huge long-shots, obviously).

— Nate Silver (@NateSilver538) February 6, 2019

Pass the popcorn and stay tuned!