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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 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>

===Temper===

====Temper====

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.}}

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>

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====

In 1937, Robinson supported Roosevelt's  "Judicial Procedures Reform Bill of 1937," also known as the Court  Reorganization Act, the infamous [[court-packing]] scheme.<ref name=senate/> The plan would have permitted up to fifteen justices, one for each over the age of seventy who did not retire. It has been speculated that Roosevelt promised Robinson the next appointment to the high court, but Robinson's death made such a promise moot.<ref>{{cite book|page=120 |title=Scorpions: The Battles and Triumphs of FDR's Great Supreme Court Justices|author=Noah Feldman|publisher=Hachette Business Portal|year=2010}}</ref>  Robinson pushed strongly for the court-packing plan, but it was killed by the bipartisan [[Conservative Coalition]].<ref name=senate/>

In 1937, Robinson supported Roosevelt's  "Judicial Procedures Reform Bill of 1937," also known as the Court  Reorganization Act, the infamous [[court-packing]] scheme.<ref name=senate/> The plan would have permitted up to fifteen justices, one for each over the age of seventy who did not retire. It has been speculated that Roosevelt promised Robinson the next appointment to the high court, but Robinson's death made such a promise moot.<ref>{{cite book|page=120 |title=Scorpions: The Battles and Triumphs of FDR's Great Supreme Court Justices|author=Noah Feldman|publisher=Hachette Business Portal|year=2010}}</ref>  Robinson pushed strongly for the court-packing plan, but it was killed by the bipartisan [[Conservative Coalition]].<ref name=senate/>