Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt depended heavily in his four elections on the Catholic vote and the enthusiasm of Irish machines in major cities such as Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago, and New York. Al Smith and many of Smith's associates broke with FDR and formed the American Liberty League, which represented big business opposition to the New Deal. Catholic radio priest Charles Coughlin supported FDR in 1932, but broke with him in 1935 and made weekly attacks. There were few senior Catholics in the New Deal—the most important were Postmaster General James Farley (who broke with FDR in 1940) and Ambassador Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr. (who was on the verge of breaking in 1940 but finally supported FDR in the interest of his sons).