Behind the Bastards Part Two: Lee Atwater: The Political Dirty Tricks Artist Who Gave us President(s) George Bush
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Aug 27, 2025 Dive into the controversial life of Lee Atwater, a master of political dirty tricks. Explore his mischievous college days and the pranks that foreshadowed his future in politics. Discover how his manipulative genius shaped the Republican Party and navigated the complex world of electoral strategies. The discussion reveals the darker side of campaign tactics, including the exploitation of racial sentiments. With sharp humor and insightful critiques, the podcast uncovers Atwater's legacy on modern political discourse.
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High-School Fake Poll That Taught Influence
- Lee Atwater ran a fake high-school poll and mimeographed a comedy ranking to manipulate classmates.
- The stunt taught him people crave publicity and want to be number one, shaping his later political tactics.
Fraternity Hazing And 'Purple Jesus' Parties
- Atwater joined a brutal high-school fraternity that hazed members with paddling and icy-hot on genitals.
- The fraternity pooled money, hosted parties, and created dangerous concoctions like “purple Jesus” to supply booze.
Gamified Admission To College
- After a rejected application, Atwater's mother arranged a dean interview at Newberry and he agreed to a test.
- He aced two summer classes to prove himself and gained admission through performance, not grades.