As Governor, Bradford governed in the fashion of his mentor, Leverett Saltonstall, with an emphasis on fiscal conservatism and social liberalism. During his administration, he advanced balanced budgets and intervened to prevent protracted strikes, which would be deleterious to the interests of business and the broader public. His administration worked to promote public housing for veterans and prevent alcoholism through treatment and prevention programs. In 1947, he chaired the "Silent Guest" program in which Americans were encouraged to donate the cash equivalent of one setting of Thanksgiving dinner to the starving poor in post-war Europe. Bradford was defeated in his first reelection attempt.
He returned to the private practice of law and later in life served as President of Planned Parenthood of Massachusetts.
Robert was especially noted, and often criticized for cronyism, arrogance and combativeness and suspicion and rivalry with establishment figures in the Cabinet and the Democratic party, and several unsubstantiated charges of corruption and abuse of power.
Robert Kennedy's appointment was criticized for nepotism from his brother, and for being relatively inexperienced and young for the job.
RobertF. Kennedy: Remarks on the Assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr.