Raskob was reluctant to become involved with politics. Pragmatic, and a reluctant public speaker, he supported the political interests of his business and personal patrons, the du Pont family.

From the mid-1920s however, Raskob was increasingly resident in New York, and as a Catholic, with children at prestigious Catholic schools, became familiar with the 'movers and shakers' of the city's political life- unashamedly Catholic, and unabashedly Democratic.

The city's Democratic political leaders embraced Raskob as an establishment figure who could provide a businesslike approach to political campaigning, was a prominent anti-Prohibition advocate, and whose own deep pockets and connections could be tapped. Raskob headed the 1928 Presidential campaign of New York State Governor 'Al' Smith, and went on to a 4-year tenure as Chairman of the Democratic National Committee.

Raskob enjoyed a friendly relationship with G.M. President Alfred Sloan. While both were reserved individuals, Sloan was, unlike Raskob, puritanical in character, and Raskob never enjoyed the same cordiality he shared with more gregarious auto executives such as Walter Chrysler, who, while a competitor, remained a personal friend. As well as being an organizational genius, Sloan also proved to be a ruthless ally against the ever-present threat to the Raskob/Du Pont vision for GM from the company's former owner, Walter Durant.

Sloan had a single minded commitment to GM's success, and felt that Raskob's increasing outspokenness in public affairs might give the company an unwanted political affiliation. By 1928, Raskob and Pierre du Pont both felt that they had done their part to make the company a success, and were interested in new endeavors. Sloan's demand that "GM is not in politics" gave Raskob the opportunity to embark on a new chapter in his life. Pierre du Pont soon followed him in resigning most of his corporate positions and responsibilities.

Letter to Walter Chrysler, 1919, discussing social life in Palm Beach (file 369) (view)

Letter to Lammot du Pont discussing early years with GM and Raskob's final resignation in 1944 (file 1915) (view)

Personal letter of appreciation to Sloan (file 2109) (view)

Resignation letter to Sloan (file 902) (view)

Raskob's thoughts on his resignation (file 902) (view)