Guts, Grit, and Bobby Kennedy: Chris Matthews on Leadership That Lasts

Chris Matthews joins the show to reflect on his Peace Corps days in Louisiana, the current political gridlock in Washington, and his new book Lessons from Bobby: 10 Reasons Robert F. Kennedy Still Matters. With trademark candor, Matthews critiques Democratic strategy, warns of political miscalculations, and celebrates RFK’s fearless legacy—from civil rights battles to confronting organized crime. He shares poignant moments, like Kennedy’s speech after MLK’s assassination, and reveals RFK’s personal evolution on race. This episode is a powerful reminder of what moral courage in politics once looked like—and why it still matters today.