Behind the Bastards Part One: Lee Atwater: The Political Dirty Tricks Artist Who Gave us President(s) George Bush
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Aug 26, 2025 Discover the controversial world of Lee Atwater, the mastermind behind modern Republican dirty tricks. Explore his mentorship of political figures like Karl Rove, highlighting the manipulative methods that shaped elections. The discussion humorously examines the implications of deep fakes and dives into Atwater's complex family history. Personal anecdotes reveal how tumultuous childhood experiences forged his political acumen, setting the stage for a legacy that continues to influence today's political landscape.
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Southern Family Roots Shaped Him
- Lee Atwater grew up in a comfortably middle-class Southern family with deep local roots and Republican ties.
- His upbringing included storytelling parents, lineage pride, and early exposure to politics through neighbors like Strom Thurmond.
Perception Over Substance Became His Tool
- Atwater learned early that perception mattered more than substance and perfected tricking adults into believing things.
- That habit of performance and fakery became central to his political style and methods.
A Childhood Trauma That Lasted Forever
- When Lee was six, his three-year-old brother accidentally fell into a deep fryer and later died, a trauma the family never recovered from.
- Jane Mayer later reported Lee said he heard his brother's screams every day for the rest of his life.
