Word: farleyism
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This time there was no harmony, no happy chitchat. Big Jim Farley, who had never come away from such a dinner the loser, was dead set on Attorney General John J. ("Jack") Bennett. Franklin Delano Roosevelt, President and leader of the Democratic Party, was dead set on Senator James M. Mead. Farley had the votes-promised by men who never yet broke a promise to Big Jim. The White House had the influence, the pressure, the big stick that local politicos hate to stand against...
Finally Governor Lehman played his last desperate trump against Jim Farley's majority of votes. He had a letter from Franklin Roosevelt suggesting a way out: Mead and Bennett would both withdraw, a dark horse would be named, party harmony would be saved...
...Farley, who teethed on such offers, knew that such a peace was the peace of political death for him. He shook his head. The dinner broke up. Now it was up to delegates, pulled one way by loyalty to Big Jim, pushed another by White House pressure...
...convention opened in the St. George's white-walled, flag-draped ballroom. Up stepped Governor Lehman to make the keynote speech. There was only milk-mild applause at his mention of President Roosevelt. But when Jim Farley stepped to the microphone he got an ovation. So did his good friend, Boss Frank V. Kelly of Brooklyn, who could win the fight for Farley by holding his 193 delegates fast...
...Farley had the votes-could he keep them? The convention adjourned for jockeying. Mead's backers worked furiously; to all who went to their suite, they invoked the power and prestige of the White House...