James Farley

James Aloysius "Jim" Farley (May 30, 1888 – June 9, 1976) a New York Democratic politician. He was one of the first successful Catholics in American politics, acting primarily as a kingmaker. Serving as campaign manager for politician Al Smith's 1922 gubernatorial campaign and Franklin D. Roosevelt's 1928 and 1930 gubernatorial campaigns, as well as FDR's Presidential campaigns of 1932 and 1936. He was responsible for pulling together the New Deal Coalition of Catholics, labor unions, African Americans, and farmers for FDR. Farley, and the administration's patronage machine he presided over, helped to fuel the social and infrastructure programs of the New Deal. He also served as Roosevelt's Postmaster General from 1933 to 1940. Farley opposed Franklin Roosevelt breaking the two-term tradition of the presidency. He also had aspirations to the presidency himself, which were dashed by FDR's efforts to have himself "drafted" for another run in 1940.

After resigning from the Roosevelt administration in 1940, Farley was named Chairman of the Board of the Coca-Cola Export Corporation, a vehicle created exclusively for his talents. Farley held this post until his retirement in 1973. Farley defeated a Roosevelt bid to secure the NYS nominee for governor in 1942. Farley once again became an important national political force when his old friend, Harry Truman, became President with the death of FDR. Farley remained active in state and national politics until his death at aged 88, on June 9, 1976, in New York City.

James Farley in Joe Steele
Big Jim Farley was Governor Franklin D. Roosevelt's field boss at the 1932 Democratic convention. He kept the New York delegation in line for Roosevelt in the face of California Representative Joe Steele's own efforts to capture the nomination. When reporter Charlie Sullivan asked Farley how he felt about the Californian delegation's enthusiastic celebration (which included confetti, a brass band, and a conga line), Farley initially called it "bullshit...piled up like in the stockyards." When Sullivan pressed for an answer fit for his family-friendly paper, Farley instead described the California celebration as "sound and fury, signifying nothing." Farley also admitted that the there would certainly be several ballots before a nominee was finally chosen.

He was correct. After two days and several votes, however, Governor Roosevelt and his wife died in a fire in the governor's mansion in Albany. When he was informed, Farley had no choice but to alert the convention and release the New York delegation to vote as it saw fit. Joe Steele won the nomination.