Who Is Lee Atwater? Age, Biography and Wiki
Lee Atwater, born on February 27, 1951, was a formidable figure in American political consulting until his untimely death at the age of 40 in 1991. Although he is no longer with us, his strategies and tactics continue to influence political campaigns across the United States. Known for his work with the Republican Party, Atwater played a crucial role in George H.W. Bush's 1988 presidential campaign, employing innovative and often controversial media strategies that changed political discourse forever.
| Occupation | Republicans |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | February 27, 1951 |
| Age | 40 Years |
| Birth Place | Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Pisces |
| Country | Georgia |
| Date of death | 29 March, 1991 |
| Died Place | Washington, D.C., U.S. |
Popularity
Lee Atwater's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
While Lee Atwater’s physical statistics are not as widely documented as his political career, he was known to have a commanding presence. Typically, political figures like Atwater stand around average height, which for him was approximately 5 feet 10 inches tall. He carried a professional demeanor throughout his life, reflective of his strategic mind and influence in the political arena. His weight fluctuated throughout his life, paralleling the stress and demands associated with his high-profile career.
As a teenager in Columbia, South Carolina, Atwater played guitar in a rock band, The Upsetters Revue. Even at the height of his political power, he would often play concerts in clubs and church basements, solo or with B.B. King, in the Washington, D.C., area.
He released an album called Red Hot & Blue on Curb Records, featuring Carla Thomas, Isaac Hayes, Sam Moore, Chuck Jackson, and King.
In the Los Angeles Times of April 5, 1990, Robert Hilburn wrote about the album: "The most entertaining thing about this ensemble salute to spicy Memphis-style 1950s and 1960s R&B is the way it lets you surprise your friends.
Play a selection such as 'Knock on Wood' or 'Bad Boy' for someone without identifying the singer, then watch their eyes bulge when you reveal that it's the controversial national chairman of the Republican Party, Lee Atwater." During the 1960s, Atwater briefly played backup guitar for Percy Sledge.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Lee Atwater was married to Jodi Atwater, and together they had three children. His family life was relatively private, but his relationships reflected a balance between his demanding career and personal commitments. There has been little public information regarding any significant relationships outside of his marriage, emphasizing that he maintained a focus on his family during his years of prominence.
After the 1980 election, Atwater went to Washington and became an aide in the Ronald Reagan administration, working under political director Ed Rollins. In 1984, Rollins managed Reagan's re-election campaign, and Atwater became the campaign's deputy director and political director.
Rollins mentioned Atwater's work several times in his 1996 book Bare Knuckles and Back Rooms. He stated that Atwater ran a dirty tricks operation against Democratic vice-presidential nominee Geraldine Ferraro, including publicizing the fact that Ferraro's parents had been indicted for numbers running in the 1940s.
Rollins described Atwater as "ruthless", "Ollie North in civilian clothes", and someone who "just had to drive in one more stake".
Net Worth and Salary
At the time of his passing in 1991, Lee Atwater's net worth was estimated to be around $3 million. Adjusted for inflation, this would be roughly equivalent to a higher amount today, reflecting his successful career as a political consultant and strategist. Despite the limited time he spent in the limelight, his influence on Republican campaigns during the late 20th century contributed to his financial success.
"My illness helped me to see that what was missing in society is what was missing in me: a little heart, a lot of brotherhood. The 1980s were about acquiring – acquiring wealth, power, prestige. I know. I acquired more wealth, power, and prestige than most. But you can acquire all you want and still feel empty.
What power wouldn't I trade for a little more time with my family? What price wouldn't I pay for an evening with friends? It took a deadly illness to put me eye to eye with that truth, but it is a truth that the country, caught up in its ruthless ambitions and moral decay, can learn on my dime.
I don't know who will lead us through the '90s, but they must be made to speak to this spiritual vacuum at the heart of American society, this tumor of the soul."
Career, Business and Investments
Lee Atwater began his career in politics as a student activist and gradually climbed the ranks to become a key strategist for several Republican candidates. His innovative approach to political campaigning included the use of aggressive television advertising and media management, setting him apart from his peers. His most notable achievement was his role as campaign manager for George H.W. Bush during the 1988 presidential election. Beyond campaign management, Atwater was also involved in various consulting businesses and founded the Atwater Group, which aimed to advise on political strategy.
Following Bush's victory, Atwater focused on organizing a public relations campaign against Arkansas governor Bill Clinton. Atwater viewed Clinton as a serious threat to Bush in the 1992 presidential election.
At the time Atwater became ill in 1990, he was supporting the bid of Representative Tommy Robinson to gain the Republican gubernatorial nomination to oppose Clinton that fall. Robinson lost the primary to former Arkla Gas CEO Sheffield Nelson.
In an indication of how much importance Atwater and the RNC placed on Robinson's bid, Missouri's John Ashcroft, attended an Arkansas event where he was scheduled to endorse Robinson, only to discover that he had a primary opponent. Up to that point, when he met Nelson, Ashcroft thought Robinson was running unopposed.
After Atwater fell ill, Robinson's RGA support evaporated.
Social Network
Though Lee Atwater passed away in 1991, he remains a subject of interest among political historians and practitioners. His work is frequently discussed in academic circles, and his methodologies are studied by political strategists to this day. His legacy continues on social media platforms through pages and groups dedicated to political history, where enthusiasts share information, articles, and insights related to his life and career.
Atwater: Y'all don't quote me on this. You start out in 1954 by saying, "Nigger, nigger, nigger". By 1968, you can't say "nigger"—that hurts you. Backfires. So you say stuff like forced busing, states' rights and all that stuff.
You're getting so abstract now [that] you're talking about cutting taxes, and all these things you're talking about are totally economic things and a byproduct of them is [that] blacks get hurt worse than whites. And subconsciously maybe that is part of it. I'm not saying that.
But I'm saying that if it is getting that abstract, and that coded, that we are doing away with the racial problem one way or the other. You follow me—because obviously sitting around saying, "We want to cut this", is much more abstract than even the busing thing, and a hell of a lot more abstract than "Nigger, nigger".
So, any way you look at it, race is coming on the back-burner.
Education
Lee Atwater graduated from the University of South Carolina, where he earned a bachelor's degree in political science. His education played a significant role in shaping his understanding of political dynamics and strategies. This academic background provided him with the vital skills needed to navigate the complexities of American political campaigns effectively.
He had two siblings, Ann and Joe, and grew up in Aiken, South Carolina. When Lee was five, his three-year-old brother, Joe, died of third-degree burns when he pulled a deep fryer full of hot oil onto himself.
