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1928 Presidential Campaign and Resignation from GM

Smith Campaign and DNC Chairmanship

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John J. Raskob Papers at Hagley Museum and Library

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The Smith Campaign and the DNC Chairmanship

Smith's campaign for the Presidency was dogged by vicious anti-Catholic prejudice and the mistrust of the Southern Democratic establishment for Raskob's northern industrialist and anti-Prohibition loyalties.

After the campaign, Smith exercised his traditional prerogative and appointed Raskob as Chairman of the Democratic National Committee. For the next four years, Raskob battled to establish a permanent, financially viable organization and to commit the party to ending Prohibition. The latter cause was vigorously opposed by Southern party members and legislators.

While Raskob supported another Smith candidacy in 1932, he was overmatched by the supporters of Franklin D. Roosevelt. Raskob ended his term at the head of the Democratic Party feeling betrayed. He tepidly supported the new President until his distrust of the New Deal became too much to bear.

Related Correspondence and Documents:

Chicago Tribune cartoon -- makes fun of Raskob's involvement in the 1928 campaign (September 1928)

Anti-Catholic flyer -- targets an anti-Catholic and pro-Prohibition audience and asks for donations to spread the word (1930)

Telegram from Senator McAdoo to Raskob -- discusses Prohibition and the DNC platform (March 1931)

Jouett Shouse (DNC) to Raskob and Bernard Baruch -- outlines the DNC campaign expenditures for the 1930 elections (September 1930)

A Rich Man Speaking -- Raskob's statement on Roosevelt's New Deal ((1938)

Image: M.J. Meehan, "Al" Smith, and Raskob, 1928. View image in Hagley Digital Archives