Behind the Bastards: Part One – Lee Atwater: The Political Dirty Tricks Artist Who Gave us President(s) George Bush

Podcast: Behind the Bastards
Host: Robert Evans (A), with guest Garrison Davis (B)
Date: August 26, 2025
Producer: Cool Zone Media & iHeartPodcasts

Episode Overview

This episode dives into the early life and formative experiences of Lee Atwater, the infamous Republican strategist who fundamentally changed American political campaigning. Atwater’s use of “dirty tricks,” aggressive negative campaigning, and the development of “push polling” redefined presidential elections, playing pivotal roles in electing Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush, and influencing political figures like Karl Rove. Through colorful storytelling, Robert Evans and Garrison Davis paint a picture of a man shaped by privilege, trauma, and a relentless desire to manipulate, polarize, and win—at any cost.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introducing Lee Atwater and His Importance

• Lee Atwater: Political mastermind of late 20th-century Republican strategy.
• Atwater was instrumental in Reagan's and George H.W. Bush’s elections, a pioneer of “push polling” and negative campaign tactics.
• He directly influenced Republican campaign culture and was a key mentor to Karl Rove.
• Quote [01:15]:
  • "This is kind of the guy who invented the way modern presidential elections work." (A, 01:15)
• Comparison to Roger Stone: Atwater was more competent and less showy.
  • "Roger Stone kind of drafted a lot off of Lee's accomplishments." (A, 02:12)

2. Atwater’s Ancestry and Southern Aristocracy

• Both sides of Atwater’s family were long-established, upper-middle-class “aristocracy” with roots in North and South Carolina, tracing lineage back before the American Revolution.
• Not truly old-money rich, but steeped in generational privilege and deep local political connections.
  • "We are talking about both families are about as close as the US gets to aristocracy." (A, 15:22)

3. Family Values and Early Upbringing

• Atwater’s household was highly education-focused, with parents investing deeply in their children’s schooling and discipline.
• His father’s side featured partisan Republican legacy; his mother’s side, too.
• Notable family moment: Atwater's ancestor almost sold land to Napoleon Bonaparte for exile in New York State.
  • "What a wild thing that would be... if they're just, like, yeah. And that's Napoleon's house outside of Schenectady." (A, 15:13)

4. Troubled Childhood and Formative Trauma

• Born three weeks premature, Atwater had lifelong nerve and energy issues—what would today be diagnosed as ADHD.
  • "He always kind of has some of these nervous systems issues...he can't hold a pen or a pencil properly." (A, 20:30)
• His mother doted on him constantly; he was awkward, needy, and found solace in memorization over reading/writing.
• At age 6, witnessed his 3-year-old brother’s horrific death by boiling oil—an event that haunted him, shaping his worldview.
  • Quote [36:00]:
    • "He said that he heard the sounds of his brother's screams every day of his life." (A, 36:33, citing journalist Jane Mayer)
  • Evans and Davis hypothesize this experience led to his emotional separation and nihilistic approach to life and politics.

5. Early Evidence of Manipulation and Performance

• As a child, Atwater tricked adults into believing he could read; began to value perception over substance.
  • Quote [19:04]:
    • "All that matters is perception. If people think I can do something, it doesn't matter if I've done it or not." (A, 19:04)
• Developed compulsive habits of lying, manipulating, and controlling situations to assert dominance.
  • "He can't have an equal relationship with you... he has to have some degree of power." (A, 39:20)
• Fell in love with blues, soul, and especially the music of James Brown—a lifelong passion and lens for understanding culture.
  • "He loves R & B, he listens to James Brown for the first time... that's it for him, he has found his true love in life." (A, 44:01)
• Was a perpetual class clown and prankster; loved by peers but described as a “leader” or “manipulator” depending on the observer.

6. Proximity to Power and Segregation-Era Politics

• Grew up near Strom Thurmond—a living link to Southern racism, Democratic-to-Republican party realignment, and national politics.
  • Thurmond infamously filibustered the Civil Rights Act and had a secret biracial child.
  • Quote [27:01]:
    • "He later recalled, 'He came out and gave me a Snickers candy bar. That was the best thing I got that year. So I liked Senator Thurmond, but I didn't know anything about politics.'" (A, 27:01, quoting Atwater)

7. School Life, Friendships, and the Roots of Campaign Tactics

• Poor academic performer, but deeply socially influential; loved organizing, selling, and “winning over” others for the thrill—never for the reward.
  • "It's not about the money, it's about the winning." (A, 45:29)
• At military school, honed skills in manipulation and risk-taking (e.g., orchestrated dangerous pranks with zero regard for others’ welfare).
• Back in high school, orchestrated his first “campaign” for a friend using fabricated endorsements, false promises, intimidation, and polarization.
  • Quote [64:23]:
    • "I learned how to organize and I learned how to polarize." (Lee Atwater, as quoted by A, 64:23)
  • Notably, his team physically intimidated peers to ensure votes, relishing the power and spectacle.

8. Atwater’s “Performance Self” and Inability for Authentic Connection

• Romantic relationships characterized by compulsive dishonesty and constant need to perform for approval or dominance.
  • Quote [53:28]:
    • "I'm just tired of being the second half of the show. I feel like I've got to be part of a stunt routine." (Debbie, Atwater’s girlfriend)
  • Consistent theme: Atwater could not connect honestly or vulnerably with others.

9. A Love for Black Music—with Paradoxical Racist Political Impact

• Atwater’s personal love for R&B and black musical culture runs parallel to his political career, where he would exploit and deepen racial divisions for electoral gain.
• The hosts foreshadow the deep tension between this personal enthusiasm and his infamous “Southern Strategy” politics in later years.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Political Manipulation:
  "He understands all that matters is perception... that's gonna be the core of how this guy relates to other people." (A, 19:04)
• On His Emotional Disconnection:
  "The person seeking popularity and a stage would almost always overrule the nice guy, the more genuine part of him. I don't think he could stop it." (Debbie, Atwater’s high school girlfriend, [55:29])
• On Atwater’s Impact:
  "Lee Atwater's tactics win. He doesn't personally get to win. So there's a little bit of satisfaction in this." (A, 33:12)
• Host’s Reflection:
  "If only he'd just become like John Hughes, we could have been saved a lot of horror as a species." (A, 65:11)

Key Segment Timestamps

• Introduction, Lee Atwater’s Influence – 01:15
• Family Background & Ancestry – 08:01 to 16:20
• Early Childhood & Nervous Disorder – 16:20 to 22:10
• Brother’s Death & Emotional Fallout – 34:38 to 37:56
• School Life, Early Pranks, Manipulation – 38:19 to 41:46
• First Exposure to Political Power (Thurmond) – 23:13 to 27:01
• Musical/Performance Obsession – 44:01 to 46:57
• Manipulating First School Election – 63:33 to 64:55
• Analysis of Atwater’s Tactics & Disconnection – 53:28 to 58:59

Tone and Style

Robert Evans maintains a darkly comedic, irreverent, and conversational tone, blending grim historical detail with banter and absurdity—often punctuated by Garrison’s asides and Sophie’s (producer) interjections. The hosts use irony, gallows humor, and open disgust at their subject’s actions, while still expressing empathy about formative trauma.

For Listeners New to the Episode

• This first part focuses on Atwater’s formative experiences, his sociopolitical environment, and early demonstrations of the manipulative skills he’d later weaponize on a national scale.
• The show foreshadows that the “fun” and “prankster” dynamics of Atwater’s youth morph directly into the win-at-all-costs ruthlessness that would reshape American politics—and bring with it both victories and lasting damage.
• Expect part two to cover his adult career, notorious political campaigns, and the larger ramifications for US democracy.