After dropping out of high school , Esposito found employment at an insurance business operated by Jim Powers , a former United States Marshal and local Democratic leader . There , Esposito met Hyman Schorenstein , another Brooklyn Democratic leader who went on to secure the presidential nomination for Al Smith at the party 's 1928 Democratic National Convention . Schorenstein 's blunt , transactional management style would profoundly influence Esposito . At the age of 18 , Esposito " got a couple of dozen of the guys together " and started the Progressive Democratic Club on Fulton Street
1928 Democratic National Convention
1928 Democratic National Convention
Meade Esposito