© 2025 WEKU
Lexington's Choice for NPR
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
The 1850 campaign is in the home stretch! 1850 new WEKU supporters giving at least $10 a month. Great news! We are down to 508 to go! Click here to support WEKU!

'Boogie Man': The Paradox Of Lee Atwater

/

Lee Atwater, former chairman of the Republican National Committee, is remembered for being a ruthless political operative. But in a new documentary about Atwater's controversial life and legacy, filmmaker Stefan Forbes shows that despite his reputation as "Darth Vader," Atwater won the respect of many, including political enemies.

In Boogie Man: The Lee Atwater Story, Forbes details Atwater's indelible impact on the American political landscape. As Forbes notes, he is accused of running the most racist presidential campaign in 150 years, yet, at the same time, hung around with blues legends James Brown and B.B. King.

Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.

WEKU depends on support from those who view and listen to our content. There's no paywall here. Please support WEKU with your donation.
Related Content