Raymond Moley

Raymond Moley was an influential American political scientist, government advisor, and author who played a pivotal role in shaping early New Deal policy. As a key member of Franklin D. Roosevelt's original Brain Trust, he helped draft the 1932 Democratic platform and the president's early speeches before breaking with the administration over its perceived leftward shift. His subsequent career as a conservative columnist, magazine editor, and professor marked a significant political evolution from New Deal liberalism to staunch conservatism.

Early life and education

Born in Berea, Ohio, Moley was raised in a family with strong ties to local Republican politics. He earned his undergraduate degree from Baldwin–Wallace College before completing a master's degree at Oberlin College. His academic pursuits culminated in a doctorate in political science from Columbia University, where he studied under renowned scholars like Charles A. Beard. His early research focused on criminal justice, leading to work with the Cleveland Foundation and contributions to the influential Cleveland Survey of Criminal Justice.

Career and New Deal involvement

After teaching at Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, Moley returned to Columbia University as a professor, where his expertise in public administration caught the attention of Louis Howe, a close advisor to then-Governor Franklin D. Roosevelt. Recruited in 1932, Moley became the chief organizer of the famed Brain Trust, a group of academic advisors that also included Rexford Tugwell and Adolf A. Berle Jr.. He was instrumental in drafting the 1932 Democratic National Convention platform and crucial speeches for Roosevelt's campaign, including the iconic Commonwealth Club Address. Following the First 100 days of Franklin D. Roosevelt's presidency, Moley served as Assistant Secretary of State under Cordell Hull, but grew increasingly disillusioned with the administration's direction.

Later career and political shift

Moley's final major assignment for Roosevelt was at the London Economic Conference in 1933, after which he resigned, fundamentally disagreeing with the president's monetary policies. He publicly broke with the New Deal in 1936, becoming a vocal critic in publications like Newsweek, where he wrote a regular column for decades. His political allegiance shifted to the Republican Party, and he became an advisor to Wendell Willkie and later a strong supporter of Thomas E. Dewey. From 1954 to 1971, he was a featured commentator on the NBC morning program Today, articulating his conservative viewpoints to a national audience.

Publications and writings

Moley was a prolific author whose works chronicled his political journey and analyzed American governance. His early book, *After Seven Years* (1939), provided an insider's critical account of the New Deal. Later works, such as *The Republican Opportunity* (1962) and *The American Century of John C. Lincoln* (1962), championed conservative principles and free enterprise. He also wrote a syndicated newspaper column and served as an editor for *Today* magazine, consistently advocating for a limited federal government and critiquing the expansion of the welfare state.

Legacy and historical assessment

Historians regard Moley as a quintessential figure of ideological transformation in twentieth-century American politics. His work with the Brain Trust was foundational to the legislative agenda of the First New Deal, particularly in areas like agricultural policy and banking reform. His subsequent defection and criticism symbolize the early conservative opposition to the Second New Deal and the growing coalition within the Democratic Party. Moley's long career in journalism and commentary at Newsweek and on NBC helped bridge academic political science with popular media, influencing public discourse for decades.

Category:American political scientists Category:1886 births Category:1975 deaths Category:Columbia University alumni Category:Assistant United States Secretaries of State