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As minority leader, Robinson took over the distribution of patronage appointments and reformed the committee assignment process, decreeing that no senator could chair or be the ranking member of more than one important committee. A Capitol Hill resident, he never strayed far from the Senate chamber but kept a constant watch over the proceedings in order to capitalize on any dissension within the Republican ranks.<ref name=senate/> Known as a "horse trader," he worked quietly to reach compromises with the three Republican presidents of the 1920s.<ref name=senate/>

As minority leader, Robinson took over the distribution of patronage appointments and reformed the committee assignment process, decreeing that no senator could chair or be the ranking member of more than one important committee. A Capitol Hill resident, he never strayed far from the Senate chamber but kept a constant watch over the proceedings in order to capitalize on any dissension within the Republican ranks.<ref name=senate/> Known as a "horse trader," he worked quietly to reach compromises with the three Republican presidents of the 1920s.<ref name=senate/>

Robinson had presidential aspirations of his own. In 1924, he was a "favorite son" contender for the Democratic nomination. He carried the backing of the southern conservative members of his party.<ref name=senate/> That year, however, an incident on a [[golf]] course overshadowed his presidential bid. At the Chevy Chase Country Club in [[Maryland]] , a surgeon asked Robinson to permit him to move ahead of the slow-moving foursome that Robinson was playing. After a few angry words, he knocked the doctor to the ground. The club expelled Robinson from its membership, and the press began referring to him as the "pugilist" senator.<ref name=senate/>

Robinson had presidential aspirations of his own. In 1924, he was a "favorite son" contender for the Democratic nomination. He carried the backing of the southern conservative members of his party.<ref name=senate/> That year, however, an incident on a [[golf]] course overshadowed his presidential bid. At the Chevy Chase Country Club in [[Maryland]], a surgeon asked Robinson to permit him to move ahead of the slow-moving foursome that Robinson was playing. After a few angry words, he knocked the doctor to the ground. The club expelled Robinson from its membership, and the press began referring to him as the "pugilist" senator.<ref name=senate/>

Robinson was the Democratic candidate for vice president in 1928, as the running mate of the [[Roman Catholic]] [[Alfred E. Smith]]. Early in 1928, Robinson clashed with Senator James Thomas Heflin (1869–1951), a Democrat from Alabama, who frequently inserted anti-Catholic sentiments into his speeches. Robinson admonished his views, stating that religious affiliation had no bearing on a person's credentials for higher office.<ref name=senate/> On one famous occasion, he declared, "I have heard [the senator] denounce the Catholic Church and the Pope of [[Rome]] and the cardinal and the bishop and the priest and the nun until I am sick and tired of it, as a Democrat." Helfin retorted, "The Senator from Arkansas cannot remain leader of the Democrats and fight the Roman Catholics' battle every time the issue is raised in this body."<ref name=senate/> Interpreting the remark as a challenge to his authority, Robinson compelled the senators by a near unanimous vote to pledge their continued support to him.<ref name=senate/>

Robinson was the Democratic candidate for vice president in 1928, as the running mate of the [[Roman Catholic]] [[Alfred E. Smith]]. Early in 1928, Robinson clashed with Senator James Thomas Heflin (1869–1951), a Democrat from Alabama, who frequently inserted anti-Catholic sentiments into his speeches. Robinson admonished his views, stating that religious affiliation had no bearing on a person's credentials for higher office.<ref name=senate/> On one famous occasion, he declared, "I have heard [the senator] denounce the Catholic Church and the Pope of [[Rome]] and the cardinal and the bishop and the priest and the nun until I am sick and tired of it, as a Democrat." Helfin retorted, "The Senator from Arkansas cannot remain leader of the Democrats and fight the Roman Catholics' battle every time the issue is raised in this body."<ref name=senate/> Interpreting the remark as a challenge to his authority, Robinson compelled the senators by a near unanimous vote to pledge their continued support to him.<ref name=senate/>