Howard Schultz, the former Starbucks CEO who is mulling an independent run for president in 2020, slammed the recently proposed "Green New Deal" as “not realistic.”

“Let’s be sensible about what we're suggesting, let’s not just throw things against a wall because it’s a good slogan or we get a press release. Let’s be truthful,” Schultz said Tuesday at a CNN town hall.

“When I see politicians start throwing things out that I know is not realistic, that is not being honest with the American people.”

Howard Schultz says the Green New Deal is “not realistic”: “Let’s be sensible about what we're suggesting, let’s not just throw things against a wall because it’s a good slogan or we get a press release. Let’s be truthful.” #SchultzTownHall https://t.co/2Dk5mSoynY pic.twitter.com/xthB3lmBZy — CNN (@CNN) February 12, 2019

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Alexandria Ocasio-CortezHouse passes bill to avert shutdown Trump attacks Omar for criticizing US: 'How did you do where you came from?' The Memo: Dems face balancing act on SCOTUS fight MORE (D-N.Y.) and Sen. Ed Markey Edward (Ed) John MarkeySchumer: 'Nothing is off the table' if GOP moves forward with Ginsburg replacement Democrats see fundraising spike following Ginsburg death Democratic senator calls for eliminating filibuster, expanding Supreme Court if GOP fills vacancy MORE (D-Mass.) introduced companion resolutions on the Green New Deal Thursday. The nonbinding proposals have a goal of creating millions of “good, high-wage jobs” by working toward net-zero greenhouse gas emissions.

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The plan has become a lightning rod among the progressive base and 2020 Democrats, with several of the front-runners, including Sens. Elizabeth Warren Elizabeth WarrenHarris joins women's voter mobilization event also featuring Pelosi, Gloria Steinem, Jane Fonda Judd Gregg: The Kamala threat — the Californiaization of America GOP set to release controversial Biden report MORE (D-Mass.), Cory Booker Cory Anthony BookerBipartisan praise pours in after Ginsburg's death DHS opens probe into allegations at Georgia ICE facility Democratic lawmakers call for an investigation into allegations of medical neglect at Georgia ICE facility MORE (D-N.J.), Kamala Harris Kamala HarrisButtigieg stands in as Pence for Harris's debate practice First presidential debate to cover coronavirus, Supreme Court Harris joins women's voter mobilization event also featuring Pelosi, Gloria Steinem, Jane Fonda MORE (D-Calif.) and Kirsten Gillibrand Kirsten GillibrandSunday shows preview: Justice Ginsburg dies, sparking partisan battle over vacancy before election Suburban moms are going to decide the 2020 election Jon Stewart urges Congress to help veterans exposed to burn pits MORE (D-N.Y.), expressing support for the proposal.

Schultz, who has excoriated the Democratic Party for moving too far to the left, said the proposal is only one of several that Democrats would not be able to fund.

“When I read the Green New Deal and I try to understand what they’re suggesting, I don’t understand how you’re going to give a job to everybody, how you’re going to give free college to everybody, how you’re going to create clean energy throughout the country in every building of the land, and then tally this thing up with $32 trillion on Medicare for all. That’s about $40 trillion plus, we are sitting … with $22 trillion of debt on the balance sheet of America,” he said.

While opposed to the deal, Schultz refused to go after Ocasio-Cortez and Markey over their plan.

“I think these are well-intentioned people and like me are gravely concerned about our planet, climate change and the things that we have to do,” he said.

“I think it’s immoral to suggest that we can tally up $20 [trillion], $30, $40, $50 trillion of debt to solve a problem that can be solved in a different way. It’s not that they’re disingenuous, I think they’re well-intentioned. This is not personal, I just don’t agree that this is the right way to approach things.”

Though refusing to attack Democrats on Capitol Hill, the former Starbucks CEO has already made enemies in Washington. Schultz’s announcement last month that he is considering an independent presidential run infuriated Democrats, who feared that his candidacy could divide the anti-Trump vote and help the president win reelection in 2020.