Pro Politics with Zac McCrary Chuck Robb of Virginia...Governor, Senator, Marine
Who else has a story like Chuck Robb? Marries the President Johnson's daughter in a White House ceremony, serves in Vietnam, changes the political culture of Virginia in the 70s and 80s, two consequential terms in the Senate, helps found the influential centrist DLC, and casts several courageous, unpopular votes that ultimately take a toll on his career in elected office. This is a frank, revealing conversation though Governor Robb's one-of-a-kind political life.
IN THIS EPISODE…
Governor Robb’s indirect connection to Woodrow Wilson…
His formative time in the Marines, including combat in Vietnam…
A young Chuck Robb’s ceremonial role in the LBJ White House…
He recalls a meeting in the Lincoln Bedroom asking the President Johnson’s blessing to marry his daughter Linda…
More of his memories from seeing President Johnson up close…
He also speaks to the important role that Lady Bird Johnson played in President Johnson’s career…
He weighs in on the “rivalry” between the Kennedys and the Johnsons…
The ribbing from John McCain that would always get a rise from Governor Robb…
The early days kicking his political career off in Virginia…
The 1984 DNC Convention speech he gave that gave rise to the centrist, DLC movement…
Why he never ran for President…
The long relationship between Chuck Robb and Doug Wilder…
He remembers his iconic 1994 re-election race against Oliver North…
He talks through his courageous 1996 vote against the Defense of Marriage Act…
He also talks his reversal of opinion to cast a vote against the Flag Burning Amendment…
He talks his losing 2000 race against George Allen and gives advice to candidates running as underdogs…
Weighing in on the debate over the filibuster reform…
He talks the roles he’s taken on after his Senate career…
AND…8th and I, Joe Biden, Harry Byrd, Bill Clinton, Marshall Coleman, Jim Crow, Everett Dirksen, Episcopalians, John Glenn, heifers, Howell Heflin, Hubert Humphrey, HMX-1, Scoop Jackson, Barbara Jordan, Robert Kennedy, Jackie Kennedy, John McCain, mixed doubles with Ethel Kennedy, muddy boot Marines, Sam Nunn, Strom Thurmond, the USS Northampton, the WMD Commission, Robert W. Wooley, & more!