Education
In December 2015, Nelson completed directing and producing his first documentary feature film, Magnificent Burden, which tells the story of former New York socialite Taylor Stein’s quest to save her son, whom she adopted after going undercover for the Federal Bureau of Investigation to bring down an international baby trafficking ring, from a rare and deadly disease, Spinal muscular atrophy (Strategic Medical Alliances).
Career
Nelson first became nationally known for being one of the founders of Lead or Leave a political action group that focused on reducing the deficit and fighting for generational equity. Led by Nelson and Jonathan Cowan, the "mini-movement" became so prominent it was featured on 60 Minutes, Nightline, Good Morning America and The Today Show, creating a stir in "Music Television-District of Columbia" during the Clinton years. They mobilized thousands of young Americans, and in the process gained the support of numerous national political and business leaders, including billionaire and former independent Presidential candidate, Ross Perot, prominent investment banker Peter G. Peterson, Chicago commodity broker Richard Dennis, and former Senator and Democratic Presidential candidate Paul Tsongas.In February, 1993, Cowan and Nelson were featured on the cover of United States. News & World Report with the headline, “The Twentysomething Rebellion - How lieutenant Will Change America.” Nelson has been described by The New York Times as “one of the original Generation X spokesmen.” After graduating from Stanford Law School and holding an externship in the Clinton White House, Nelson went on to become a television and radio show host.
Nelson has been the host of a number of television programs including The Full Nelson on Fox News, which television Guide called “a new breed of late night talk show,” The Rob Nelson Show and American Broadcasting Company"s The Scholar.
Membership
Lead or Leave garnered national attention with an accountability pledge that asked the President and all members of Congress to pledge to cut the federal deficit in half in four years or leave office.