Rachel Maddow Presents: Ultra – Episode 1: Dr. Hunt

Release Date: June 10, 2024

Introduction

In the inaugural episode of Rachel Maddow Presents: Ultra, titled "Dr. Hunt," host Rachel Maddow delves into the tumultuous life and tragic demise of Lester C. Hunt, a revered U.S. Senator from Wyoming. Set against the backdrop of post-World War II America, the episode explores the intricate web of political pressures, personal sacrifices, and emerging authoritarian threats that culminated in Hunt's untimely suicide.

Early Life and Rise in Politics

Lester C. Hunt's journey to the U.S. Senate was marked by resilience and unwavering dedication. Originally a dentist by training, Hunt's commitment to public service began in Wyoming, where he built a successful dental practice renowned for its excellence.

• Roger McDaniel (Historian):
  "Senator Hunt goes from bartender and minor league baseball pitcher to small town dentist, to novice local politician to roof crawling pigeon exterminating governor all the way to United States Senator, never losing an election along the way."
  (11:01)

Hunt's entry into politics was spurred by personal tragedy. When his young son, Buddy, suffered a life-threatening leg injury, Hunt underwent painful bone grafts to save his son's leg—sacrificing his ability to stand and continue his dental practice. This act of profound love and sacrifice propelled him into public service, where he sought to make a broader impact.

• Drew Pearson (Wyoming Historian):
  "If he saw a problem, he solved it or worked to solve it, took it head on, sometimes in a rather unconventional way. He was that kind of guy, you."
  (05:26)

Hunt's political career was meteoric. Elected to the Wyoming State Legislature in 1932 as a Democrat in a predominantly Republican state, his popularity soared, leading him to successive roles as Secretary of State and eventually Governor of Wyoming in 1942—a position he held impressively for two consecutive terms.

Governorship and Personal Sacrifices

Governor Hunt's tenure was characterized by hands-on problem-solving, exemplified by his unconventional method of exterminating a persistent pigeon infestation at the Wyoming State Capitol in 1943. His determination to address this issue personally—climbing window ledges to deploy poison—underscored his commitment to his constituents.

• Roger McDaniel:
  "It gives me pleasure to introduce to you at this time the honorable Lester Hunt, Governor of Wyoming."
  (04:30)

Despite these achievements, Hunt's path was fraught with personal challenges. The bone graft surgeries to save his son's leg left him physically incapacitated, compelling him to abandon his dental practice and focus entirely on his political aspirations.

Senate Career and Rising Tensions

In 1954, as the end of his first Senate term approached, Senator Hunt was widely expected to secure re-election, given his immense popularity and bipartisan appeal. However, beneath this veneer of success lay mounting pressures and dark undercurrents threatening his stability.

• Rachel Maddow:
  "Senator Hunt, newly elected a US Senator, he heads to Washington to do what he has always done, to advocate for his constituents for the people of Wyoming also. Now to try to do some good for the whole rest of the country through service in the United States Senate."
  (11:01)

Despite his amiable reputation, Hunt began exhibiting signs of distress in his personal and professional life. His withdrawal from social interactions, abrupt decision not to seek re-election, and a mysterious break-in at his Washington apartment signaled deeper troubles.

• Drew Pearson:
  "He becomes kind of a loner in the Senate."
  (16:35)

The Tragic Suicide

On the morning of June 19, 1954, the day before Father's Day, Senator Hunt was found mortally wounded in his Senate office—a victim of a gunshot wound initially ruled as a suicide.

• Rachel Maddow:
  "Senator Hunt gives his wife, Nathal a goodbye kiss on the cheek, and then he heads out the door."
  (17:13)
• Drew Pearson:
  "He writes four notes, one to each of his children, one to his wife, and one to his chief of staff, and then went into his office and shot himself."
  (18:32)

Despite the overwhelming evidence pointing to suicide, lingering doubts arose due to Hunt's prior announcement of retirement, purportedly due to health issues despite no significant health problems being apparent.

Aftermath and Drew Pearson's Revelations

In the wake of Hunt's death, the political landscape of the U.S. Senate was thrown into disarray. Drew Pearson, a prominent and controversial Washington columnist, seized the moment to investigate and expose the underlying causes of Hunt's suicide.

• Drew Pearson:
  "Political blackmail... one of the lowest types of political pressure this writer has seen."
  (30:10)

Pearson's investigative reporting revealed that Hunt had been subjected to intense political blackmail orchestrated by fellow Republican senators. These senators, aiming to oust a popular Democrat, leveraged sensitive information and coercive tactics to destabilize Hunt, ultimately driving him to despair.

• Rachel Maddow:
  "The blackmail plot turns deadly in the U.S. Senate."
  (Summary context)

The exposé implicated multiple Republican senators who were using underhanded methods to secure their political dominance, showcasing a stark example of the erosion of democratic principles from within.

Historical Context and Echoes of Fascism

The episode doesn't stop at Hunt's personal story but connects it to broader historical and ideological currents threatening American democracy.

• Rachel Maddow:
  "There are, and there have been forces in American life who are opposed to democracy... they were laying the groundwork for a political party that in the best of all worlds would win an election, then destroy democracy after they had won that."
  (38:05)

Drawing parallels to the Great Sedition Trial of the late 1940s, where American fascists were prosecuted for plotting to overthrow the government, Maddow illustrates how remnants of extremist ideologies persisted, infiltrating mainstream politics and undermining democratic institutions.

Conclusion: The Legacy of Senator Hunt

Senator Lester C. Hunt's life and death serve as a poignant reminder of the fragile nature of democracy and the ever-present threats posed by internal corruption and extremism. His story encapsulates the personal cost of political integrity and the dangers of unchecked authoritarian ambitions within governmental systems.

• Roger McDaniel:
  "He is Senator Lester C. Hunt, the Democrat from Wyoming, who has served his state very faithfully for the past 22 years."
  (16:18)

The episode sets the stage for the unfolding narrative of an "ultra" right movement gaining momentum, with historical precedents warning of the enduring battle between democratic ideals and authoritarian forces.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Roger McDaniel:
  "Cheyenne, Cheyenne hop on your pony for two deers and after the ceremony, we'll both ride back home near as much on that pony."
  (01:13)

• Rachel Maddow:
  "But in his defense, Lester Hunt was not an expert at these things. He was not a trained exterminator."
  (03:35)

• Drew Pearson:
  "He was really just an honest, straightforward fellow who believed in democracy, believed in the integrity of the institutions, and it's what made him the most popular politician in the state."
  (11:25)

• Rachel Maddow:
  "He was as poised as anyone could be for success in that job. But things are about to change for him radically."
  (11:01)

• Drew Pearson:
  "When several members of the Senate gather in Cheyenne for Senator Hunt's funeral... they have a conversation about this and around the room they all knew what had happened and they all understood it."
  (31:09)

Final Thoughts

Episode 1: Dr. Hunt of Rachel Maddow Presents: Ultra masterfully intertwines a personal tragedy with broader political and historical themes, offering listeners a comprehensive understanding of how individual lives can reflect and influence national trajectories. Through meticulous research and compelling storytelling, Maddow sheds light on the vulnerabilities within the American political system, emphasizing the need for vigilance and integrity to safeguard democracy.

Subscribe to MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts for early access to every episode and enjoy ad-free listening to all episodes in the Ultra seasons one and two.