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James A. Farley
James Aloysius “Jim” Farley (May 30, 1888 - June 9, 1976) was one of the first Irish Catholic politicians in American history to achieve success on a national level. He simultaneously served as Cha...view moreJames Aloysius “Jim” Farley (May 30, 1888 - June 9, 1976) was one of the first Irish Catholic politicians in American history to achieve success on a national level. He simultaneously served as Chairman of the New York State Democratic Committee, Chairman of the Democratic National Committee, and Postmaster General under the first two administrations of President Franklin Roosevelt.
A business executive and dignitary and a Knight of Malta, he was responsible for Roosevelt’s rise to the presidency, serving as gubernatorial campaign manager for New York State politician Alfred E. Smith (1922) and Roosevelt (1928, 1930), as well as Roosevelt’s presidential campaigns of 1932 and 1936. He predicted large landslides in both and revolutionized the use of polling data.
He was responsible for pulling together the New Deal Coalition of Catholics, labor unions, African Americans, and farmers. Farley and the administration’s patronage machine over which he presided helped to fuel the social and infrastructure programs of the New Deal.
He helped to normalize diplomatic relations with the Holy See and in 1933 was the first high-ranking government official to travel to Rome, where he met with Pope Pius XI and Cardinal Pacelli (future Pope Pius XII).
Farley broke with Roosevelt and, as of 1942, was considered the supreme Democratic Party boss of New York. In 1947, President Harry S. Truman appointed him to serve a senior post as a commissioner on the Hoover Commission, which led to the development and ratification of the 22nd Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, establishing the modern executive term-limit law.
He guided and remained at the helm of Coca-Cola International for over 30 years and was responsible for the company’s global expansion as a quasi-government agency in World War II. Shipped with food and ammunition, the deal spread Coke’s market worldwide and, after the war, 59 new Coke plants were installed to help rebuild Europe.view less