The Governor's Right-Hand Man

Robert Douglass '53, culminating an association with Nelson Rockefeller '30 that began in 1960 when he served on the Governor's staff at the Republican convention Secretary to the Governor, a post considered the most important in the Rockefeller administration and equivalent to chief of staff.

Although he is now the Governor's right hand, Douglass has major responsibilities of an independent nature as well. He meets with official and private organizations on program ideas, and handles primary liaison with the New York City administration. Widely praised for his political competence, Bob has a reputation for being able to grasp complex legislation, describe it clearly without resorting to legalistic jargon, work incredibly long hours and deal with wily legislators without "blowing his cool" or seeming self-important.

Despite his relative youth — he is not yet 40—Bob has been one of the rising stars on the New York State political scene since 1964. Theodore H. White in his book TheMaking of the President — 1964 referred to him as the "young and extremely promising Robert Douglass . . . the ablest of the Rockefeller delegate managers." As assistant campaign manager, he was in charge of the primary campaign in 11 mid-western states and in West Virginia, where Rockefeller got 70 per cent of the vote. When the Governor withdrew after his defeat in the California primary, Bob became Rockefeller's representative to Governor Scranton's camp. Following the election, he accepted the post of first assistant counsel and a year later moved up to counsel.

As counsel he was primarily responsible for working with the Governor in drafting the annual legislative message, helping convert it into proposed legislation, and then seeing the bills through the legislature.

Bob is close to the Governor personally as well as professionally, either because or despite the fact that he willingly tangles with his boss over issues and consistently beats him at golf. Along with their Dartmouth association, they both have young children as a common interest. Mrs. Douglass is the former Linda Luria of Greenwich, Conn., a 1959 graduate of Smith. The couple has three children, Robert Jr., 7, Brooke, 4, and Andrew, 2.

A native of Binghamton, Bob majored in history at Dartmouth and minored in premed, planning on a career in medicine. However, two years with the medical corps during his army hitch, dispelled his medical aspirations and he entered Cornell Law School when he was discharged. He graduated in 1959, joined the law firm of Hinman, Howard & Kattell in Binghamton, and made his entrance into politics under the guidance of George Hinman, the state's Republican National Committeeman and long time friend and political mentor to Rockefeller. Full exposure to the national political scene came the following year at Chicago.

Robert Douglass '53