Podcasts about bobby kennedy a raging spirit

On November 20, 1925, Robert Francis Kennedy was born in Brookline, Massachusetts. A hundred years later, Bobby might matter more than ever. Chris Matthews, longtime host of MSNBC's “Hardball”, is already the author of one bestselling RFK biography, Bobby Kennedy: A Raging Spirit. And today, to celebrate the centennial of his birth, the pugnacious polemicist has a new book about RFK's abiding relevance. In Lessons From Bobby, Chris Matthews gives us ten reasons why Robert Francis Kennedy still matters. Matthews' favorite lesson? Bobby's willingness to concede defeat. After losing the 1968 Oregon Democratic primary to Gene McCarthy, Kennedy graciously acknowledged his loss and paid tribute to his opponent. Matthews argues this is essential to democracy. “The loser is the only one who can give credential to the winner,” he notes. “Without that, the American people always have doubts.” Yes, in November 2025, Bobby matters more than ever. 1. Bobby's Vulnerability Was His Strength Unlike JFK's aloof, almost royal demeanor, Bobby identified with victims rather than observing them from a distance. He “seemed to have identified with people's troubles and thought of himself as one of the victims,” making him relatable in ways his more polished brother never was.2. Personal Experience Transformed His Politics Bobby's commitment to civil rights deepened dramatically after his assistant John Seigenthaler was beaten nearly to death during the Freedom Rides in 1961. “Something turned in him,” Matthews notes—he realized someone close to him had been left to die in the streets, radicalizing his approach to racial justice.3. The Kennedys Became Liberals Strategically Neither Jack nor Bobby started as liberals. After narrowly losing the 1956 VP nomination, JFK realized “I got a lot of Southern support, but I don't have any liberal support.” The Kennedys understood that power in the Democratic Party was liberal, so they “married” figures like Arthur Schlesinger and John Kenneth Galbraith to reposition themselves.4. Bobby Could Separate Good from Bad Matthews emphasizes Bobby's ability to “granulate the good from the bad”—whether distinguishing corrupt labor bosses like Jimmy Hoffa from reform leaders like Cesar Chavez, or understanding how riots after King's assassination could be both morally motivated and criminally wrong. This nuanced thinking set him apart.5. Conceding Defeat Defines Democracy Matthews' most important lesson: Bobby's gracious concession after losing Oregon to Gene McCarthy exemplifies democratic virtue. “The loser is the only one who can give credential to the winner,” Matthews argues, contrasting this sharply with Trump's 2020 election denial and warning that without honest concessions, “the American people always have doubts.”Keen On America is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit keenon.substack.com/subscribe

From June 1, 2021: Chris Matthews, former host of MSNBC's Hardball, became a member of our Three-Timers club when he called in for a fun and lively chat about his memoir, This Country: My Life in Politics and History.ABOUT CHRIS MATTHEWSChris Matthews is the author of the New York Times bestsellers Bobby Kennedy: A Raging Spirit, Jack Kennedy-Elusive Hero, Tip and the Gipper-When Politics Worked, Kennedy and Nixon, and Hardball. He is the former host of MSNBC's Hardball with Chris Matthews.

A sweeping memoir of American politics and history from Chris Matthews, New York Times bestselling author and former host of MSNBC's Hardball with Chris Matthews. In This Country, Chris Matthews offers a panoramic portrait of post–World War II America through the story of his remarkable life and career. It is a story of risk and adventure, of self-reliance and service, of loyalty and friendship. It is a story driven by an abiding faith in our country. Chris Matthews Chris Matthews is a visiting professor at Fulbright University, Vietnam. He is the author of the New York Times bestsellers Bobby Kennedy: A Raging Spirit; Jack Kennedy: Elusive Hero; Tip and the Gipper: When Politics Worked; Kennedy & Nixon; and Hardball. For twenty years he anchored Hardball with Chris Matthews on MSNBC. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/steve-richards/support

"That's what's horrible about politics today-- nobody wants anybody to look good. Are people in politics amenable, available for logic anymore?" Veteran TV star and politico Chris Matthews joins Daniel for a look back and a look forward. From Chris's early passions for politics, to his time working for Jimmy Carter and Tip O'Neill, to his star turn for more than twenty years hosting Hardball, the conversation goes in many directions. What happened to American politics? Is politics "broken?" Why is the right filled with single-issue voters-- i.e. 2nd amendment-- while people on the left have many issues that determine how they vote? Chris and Daniel also wander into territory many listeners will find surprising-- everything from Tennyson to Rachmaninoff. A conversation to thrill anyone interested in the turbulent world of American politics. Support Talking Beats with Daniel Lelchuk on Patreon. Chris Matthews is a visiting professor at Fulbright University, Vietnam. He is the author of the New York Times bestsellers Bobby Kennedy: A Raging Spirit; Jack Kennedy: Elusive Hero; Tip and the Gipper: When Politics Worked; Kennedy & Nixon; and Hardball. For twenty years he anchored Hardball with Chris Matthews on MSNBC.

This Country: My Life in Politics and History by Chris Matthews A sweeping memoir of American politics and history from Chris Matthews, New York Times bestselling author and former host of MSNBC's Hardball with Chris Matthews. In This Country, Chris Matthews offers a panoramic portrait of post–World War II America through the story of his remarkable life and career. It is a story of risk and adventure, of self-reliance and service, of loyalty and friendship. It is a story driven by an abiding faith in our country. Raised in a large Irish-Catholic family in Philadelphia at a time when kids hid under their desks in atomic war drills, Chris's life etched a pattern: take a leap, live an adventure, then learn what it means. As a young Peace Corps graduate, Chris moved to DC and began knocking on doors on Capitol Hill. With dreams of becoming what Ted Sorensen had been for Jack Kennedy, Chris landed as a staffer to Utah Senator Frank Moss, where his eyes were opened to the game of big-league politics. In the 1970s, Matthews mounted a campaign for Congress as a Democratic maverick running against Philadelphia's old political machine. He didn't win the most votes, but his grit put him on the path to a top job in the White House. As a speechwriter for President Carter, Matthews witnessed the triumphs and tragedies of that administration; from the diplomatic brilliance of the Israeli-Egyptian peace treaty to the disaster of the Iran hostage crisis. After Carter's defeat, Chris became chief of staff to legendary Speaker of the House Tip O'Neill, a perch that gave him an on-the-job PhD in American politics during the Reagan years. Chris then leapt to the other side of the political matrix as a columnist and reporter. For the San Francisco Examiner, he covered the fall of the Berlin Wall, the first all-races election in South Africa, the Good Friday Agreement in Northern Ireland, and every American presidency from Reagan to George W. Bush. Chris would go on to pioneer cable news with a fast-paced, no-nonsense television program. His show, Hardball with Chris Matthews, would become a political institution for twenty years. As Chris charts his political odyssey, he paints an energetic picture of a nation searching for its soul. He reflects with grace and wisdom, showcasing the grand arc of the American story through one life dedicated to its politics. About the author Chris Matthews is the author of the New York Times bestsellers Bobby Kennedy: A Raging Spirit, Jack Kennedy—Elusive Hero, Tip and the Gipper—When Politics Worked, Kennedy and Nixon, and Hardball. He is the former host of MSNBC's Hardball with Chris Matthews.

On this week’s podcast, we talk with Chris Matthews of MSNBC's "Hardball" about his book, "Bobby Kennedy: A Raging Spirit", and actor and activist Mike Farrell (M*A*S*H*) discuss how to try and heal the divisions in America and remembers castmate David Ogden Stiers.  

Chris Matthews of Hardball joins the program!! He has just finished his book Bobby Kennedy - A Raging Spirit.  Chris talks about RFK and how his history and childhood, and his relationship with Joe Kennedy Senior that informed his own politics. Those politics, according to Matthews, were just starting to develop at the end of his life, as he sought to defend society's less fortunate, while keeping working people of all races in mind.  In the interview, we discuss: RFK - Brash Political Operator or Inspiring Leader? Kennedy on Civil Rights Kennedy and Joe McCarthy - Did he do enough? Reagan and RFK Would Bobby Kennedy have won in 1968?

Giles Chapman has the ultimate book on cars with "DRIVE: The Definitive History of Driving", and Matt Granite is also talking about driving, with his golf deal. Hear about the most brazen bank robbery ever In Knuckleheads in the News, and Chris Matthews remembers RFK with his biography "Bobby Kennedy: A Raging Spirit"

Chris Matthews is the host of MSNBC's Hardball. He is the author of Hardball: How Politics is Played – Told by One Who Knows the Game; Kennedy & Nixon: The Rivalry That Shaped Postwar America; Jack Kennedy: Elusive Hero; and Tip and the Gipper: When Politics Worked. Chris' latest book is Bobby Kennedy: A Raging Spirit. He was in the Northwest to speak at Temple De Hirsch Sinai in Seattle, presented by Town Hall and University Book Store as part of the Civics series.

Chris Matthews is the host of MSNBC's "Hardball" and he's the author of a new book "Bobby Kennedy: A Raging Spirit." He's also a former White House speech writer for President Jimmy Carter, a onetime aide to former House Speaker Thomas P. "Tip" O'Neill, Jr., and he was the Washington Bureau Chief for the San Francisco Examiner. His latest book about Bobby Kennedy is a New York Times best-seller. Full show notes available at http://ktla.com/frankbuckleyinterviews.com

Eye-opening talk with Chris about his terrific new book "Bobby Kennedy - A Raging Spirit." Fascinating and passionate new insight from Chris about who Bobby was, and his importance to America when he was alive and after his death.

Jimmy's Tech Talk discussed 5 technology myths, Pete Elliot talks about the U.S. Marshals Service, Matt Granite has a deal on watches, Andre Knott talks about a fundraiser for www.rec2connectfoundation.org, Chris Matthews talks about his book "Bobby Kennedy: A Raging Spirit"