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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,<ref name=senate/>

{{cquote|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,<ref name=senate/>

{{cquote|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.}}

 

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/>

Though Smith lost to Republican Herbert Hoover,  Robinson emerged from the campaign a national figure, now known for the impassioned speeches he had made around the country on behalf of Smith and the Democratic platform. He continued to score victories as the Senate minority leader, but his cooperative relationship with Hoover riled the members of his party. They understood that no other senator possessed Robinson's perseverance and influence.<ref name=senate/>

Though Smith lost to Republican Herbert Hoover,  Robinson emerged from the campaign a national figure, now known for the impassioned speeches he had made around the country on behalf of Smith and the Democratic platform. He continued to score victories as the Senate minority leader, but his cooperative relationship with Hoover riled the members of his party. They understood that no other senator possessed Robinson's perseverance and influence.<ref name=senate/>