AMAC Newsline · Author

Robert B. Charles

National Spokesman, AMAC

AMAC Staff Writing since 2019 @Bobby4Maine Website

1,599

Articles published

Years with AMAC

Topics covered

Aug 25, 2026

Background

Robert Charles is a former Assistant Secretary of State under Colin Powell, former Reagan and Bush 41 White House staffer, Maine attorney, ten-year naval intelligence officer (USNR), and 25-year businessman. He wrote “Narcotics and Terrorism” (2003), “Eagles and Evergreens” (North Country Press, 2018), and “Cherish America: Stories of Courage, Character, and Kindness” (Tower Publishing, 2024). He is the National Spokesman for AMAC. Today, he is running to be Maine’s next Governor (please visit BobbyforMaine.com to learn more)!

Credentials

Areas of expertise

U.S. foreign policy and national securityCounter-narcotics and international law enforcementAmerican politics and governmentLeadership, character, and American history

Credentials

Former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (October 2003 - March 2005)
Reagan White House staffer (1981-1983)
Deputy Associate Director, Office of Domestic Policy, George H.W. Bush White House (1992-1993)
Staff Director and Chief Counsel, U.S. House Subcommittee on National Security, International Affairs, and Criminal Justice (1995-1999)
Naval intelligence officer, U.S. Navy Reserve (1998-2009)
President and Managing Member, The Charles Group, LLC
Author of 'Narcotics and Terrorism' (2003), 'Eagles and Evergreens' (North Country Press, 2018), and 'Cherish America: Stories of Courage, Character, and Kindness' (Tower Publishing, 2024)
Maine attorney
Candidate for Governor of Maine, 2026 election

Education

B.A. — Dartmouth College (1982)
M.A., Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Keasbey Scholarship) — New College, Oxford (1984)
J.D. — Columbia Law School (1987)

Editorial standards

AMAC Newsline articles are written and reviewed by the newsroom listed on each byline. Learn more about AMAC.

Reporting — page 2

1,599 articles

Faith

The Bald Eagle: America's Enduring Symbol of Strength and Unity

Congress took six years to settle on the bald eagle in 1782, and Franklin never actually proposed a turkey — he only called it a more respectable bird.

Aug 7, 2026

Faith

Tennyson’s Timeless Truths: Poetry That Still Comforts and Inspires

Born August 6, 1809, Tennyson wrote lines you know by heart — "'Tis better to have loved and lost" — often without knowing he wrote them.

Aug 6, 2026

Elections

The Lost Art of Conversation on the Campaign Trail

Running for governor offers daily lessons about people, patience, and the power of genuine conversation.

Aug 5, 2026

Politics

George Mason: The Founding Father Who Gave Us the Bill of Rights

George Mason refused to sign the Constitution in 1787 without a Bill of Rights, forcing the free speech, gun, and due process protections most Founders never thought to write down.

Aug 4, 2026

Politics

Faith and Courage: The Enduring Legacy of America’s Military Chaplains

The first Continental Congress opened in 1774 with prayers led by Reverend Jacob Duche, and four chaplains gave their lives as the USS Dorchester sank in WWII.

Aug 3, 2026

Politics

Thomas Jefferson's Timeless Case for Free Speech

Thomas Jefferson understood that free speech, not violence, is how a free people find truth and settle differences. In his "Notes on the State of Virginia," he defended limited government and the open exchange of ideas as safeguards of liberty.

Jul 31, 2026

Politics

Ben Franklin’s Silence That Helped Spark a Revolution

On January 29, 1774, British officials publicly humiliated Ben Franklin in a London room called the cockpit - and turned a peacemaker into a revolutionary.

Jul 30, 2026

Politics

Edmund Burke’s Timeless Warning About Preserving American Liberty Today

Edmund Burke, the father of modern conservatism, championed liberty 250 years ago—and his words still speak to us today. He believed freedom survives only in a moral, engaged, and active republic. From the dangers of moral relativism to the cost of inaction, Burke's timeless observations offer guidance for our current political, economic, and cultural challenges. Discover why his wisdom remains a call to vigilance and action.

Jul 29, 2026

Politics

Mercury from Midwest Coal Plants Is Poisoning New England Lakes

For decades, mercury from Ohio River Valley coal plants has drifted east on prevailing winds, settling into New England's 10,000 lakes. Though EPA standards cut emissions significantly since 2012, four tons of mercury are still released yearly, contaminating fish across the region. This article examines the ongoing threat to Maine's waters and calls for stronger action to protect the lakes many grew up fishing safely.

Jul 28, 2026

Economy

GAO Report: State-Level Fraud Costing Taxpayers Hundreds of Billions Yearly

A new Government Accountability Office report reveals that fraud in state-run federal programs—including Medicaid, SNAP, and disaster relief—is growing nationwide. With $1.1 trillion routed through states and an estimated $233–$521 billion lost annually to fraud, weak oversight has allowed corruption to spread from Maine and Minnesota to other states. The article examines these findings and argues that restoring integrity in government is essential to rebuilding public trust.

Jul 27, 2026

Politics

Theodore Roosevelt on Ulysses S. Grant: Leadership Lessons That Still Matter Today

Marking the anniversary of Ulysses S. Grant's death, this article examines his leadership in war and peace, highlighting the lessons Theodore Roosevelt drew from Grant's unwavering resolve, duty, and character.

Jul 24, 2026

Politics

Why Trust Is the Foundation of Great Leadership and Effective Problem-Solving

Drawing from firsthand experience overseeing the F/A-18 Super Hornet program, the article explains why trust, transparency, and early problem-solving are the foundations of effective leadership.

Jul 23, 2026