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Robinson became Senate Majority Leader by a unanimous vote in 1933 when the Democrats gained a large majority. He was the first Democrat to serve as the formally designated Majority Leader. He took his duties seriously, having refused to delegate his numerous responsibilities to other senators.<ref name=senate/> Some Senators resented his autocratic style. In debate he often grew red in the face, pounded his desk, and stomped his feet.<ref>Donald C. Bacon, "Joseph Taylor Robinson, The Good Soldier," in ''First Among Equals: Outstanding Senate leaders of the 20th century,'' Congressional Quarterly, Inc., p. 64.</ref>

Robinson became Senate Majority Leader by a unanimous vote in 1933 when the Democrats gained a large majority. He was the first Democrat to serve as the formally designated Majority Leader. He took his duties seriously, having refused to delegate his numerous responsibilities to other senators.<ref name=senate/> Some Senators resented his autocratic style. In debate he often grew red in the face, pounded his desk, and stomped his feet.<ref>Donald C. Bacon, "Joseph Taylor Robinson, The Good Soldier," in ''First Among Equals: Outstanding Senate leaders of the 20th century,'' Congressional Quarterly, Inc., p. 64.</ref>

Richard L. Riedel, a Senate press gallery attendant in the 1920s and 1930s, recalled:<ref>Richard L. Riedel, ''Halls of the Mighty: My 47 Years in the Senate,'' (Washington and New York: Robert B. Luce Publishers, 1969), p. 142.</ref>

Richard L. Riedel, a Senate press gallery attendant in the 1920s and 1930s, recalled:<ref>Richard L. Riedel, ''Halls of the Mighty: My 47 Years in the Senate,'' (Washington and New York: Robert B. Luce Publishers, 1969), p. 142.</ref>

{{cquote|When [Robinson] would go into one of his rages, it took little imagination to see fire and smoke rolling out of his mouth like some fierce dragon. Even when he kidded me, he spoke in loud gasps while puffing his cigar. Robinson could make Senators and everyone in his presence quake by the burning fire of his eyes, the baring of his teeth as he ground out the words, and the clenching of his mighty fists as he beat on the desk before him.}}

{{cquote|When [Robinson] would go into one of his rages, it took little imagination to see fire and smoke rolling out of his mouth like some fierce dragon. Even when he kidded me, he spoke in loud gasps while puffing his cigar. Robinson could make Senators and everyone in his presence quake by the burning fire of his eyes, the baring of his teeth as he ground out the words, and the clenching of his mighty fists as he beat on the desk before him.}}

"Scrappy Joe," as the press called him, nearly came to blows with Senate colleagues [[Robert LaFollette|Robert Marion LaFollette, Sr.]], of [[Wisconsin]], Porter James McCumber (1858–1933) of [[North Dakota]], James Thomas Heflin (1869–1951) of Alabama, and [[Huey Long|Huey Pierce Long, Jr.]], of [[Louisiana]]. Once the United States entered World War I, Robinson denounced his colleagues who opposed the war effort.  After La Follette opposed it, Robinson questioned his patriotism on the Senate floor and La Follette had to be restrained in a near brawl with Robinson.<ref name=senate /> He also punched in the face a guard who questioned his credentials at the 1920 Democratic convention held in [[San Francisco]], [[California]].<ref name=senate/> Despite this temper, he still managed to court strong friendships across party lines.<ref>Bacon, 65, 68.</ref>

"Scrappy Joe," as the press called him, nearly came to blows with Senate colleagues [[Robert LaFollette|Robert Marion LaFollette, Sr.]], of [[Wisconsin]], Porter James McCumber (1858–1933) of [[North Dakota]], James Thomas Heflin (1869–1951) of Alabama, and [[Huey Long|Huey Pierce Long, Jr.]], of [[Louisiana]].

 

Once the United States entered World War I, Robinson denounced his colleagues who opposed the war effort.  After La Follette opposed it, Robinson questioned his patriotism on the Senate floor and La Follette had to be restrained in a near brawl with Robinson.<ref name=senate /> He also punched in the face a guard who questioned his credentials at the 1920 Democratic convention held in [[San Francisco]], [[California]].<ref name=senate/> Despite this temper, he still managed to court strong friendships across party lines.<ref>Bacon, 65, 68.</ref>

===Court-packing proposal===

===Court-packing proposal===