Who was worse? Lee Atwater or Karl Rove

[ncabot22]

Both men had a lot of power within the republican party. Both affected how campaigns are waged in negative ways. Who do you think is worse: Atwater or Rove.

In my opinion, Rove is. Atwater at least apologized for the way he ran campaigns. I think Rove feels/felt he was on a mission.

[hlthe2b]

1. Rove, but probably only because he's been at it longer...

and has had time to fine tune his treachery.

[WorseBeforeBetter]

2. Didn't Atwater apologize on his death bed? (n/t)

[Lint Head]

6. Yes. Lee Atwater is the father of what we are witnessing today.

Rove learned from Atwater. He admired him. Rove thinks Atwater's deathbed redemption was nothing more than the rambling of someone fearing death. :dem:

[WorseBeforeBetter]

7. The father of the "southern strategy"...

and its lasting effects. They're both "bad," but at least one has gone on to meet his maker...

[rusty quoin]

3. I vote Rove, the man (if human), who helped politicize

every agency of the federal government, under the most corrupt administration in the history of the United States.

[Hepburn]

4. Rove.....

....he is just such a mega weasel. :puke:

[Gman]

5. Difficult to say

since Atwater died before he could have a lasting impact as did Rove. However, I think that Atwater would have been much, much worse than Rove had he the opportunity.

[JohnnyLib2]

8. I vote for Rove. What a fascinating and disturbing question!

Let's see. Atwater rose in power and worked behind the scenes for Reagan, who was diagnosed with Alzheimers within 10 years. Rove rose in power and worked for Bush, who......? :shrug:

[ncabot22]

11. Thanks

I was just pondering the question tonight and thought I'd get some input from DUers.

[adadem]

9. Atwater and Rove were "close"

Atwater was a trusted advisor of U.S. Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush. He was also a political mentor and close friend of Karl Rove. Atwater invented many of the techniques of modern smashmouth politics, a style of politicking that attempts to destroy the careers and reputations of political opponents.

wikipedia

I never realized this until I looked up Atwater to refresh my memory

[ncabot22]

10. Yes, I didn't realize

Atwater was a mentor to Rove. I found this interesting article on Wikipedia. It was written by a man who was one of Atwater's early victims.

http://www.turnipseed.net/atwaterart.htm

[Aristus]

12. Rove is worse.

Atwater could play guitar.


And he's dead.

[MnFats]

13. Atwater was John the anti-Baptist; Rove the antiChrist.

Darth Vader learned well from the Emperor and finally outdid him in his evil ness.
god, don't ask me to write anything that makes sense tonight....

[Adsos Letter]

16. yup...

the Gog and Magog of the political arena...

[Swamp Rat]

14. Rove, because Atwater is dead.

Thank goodness.

[lovuian]

15. Rove

is Bad News

[freethought]

17. Rove!! Definitely!!

Karl Rove will never, ever, ever see that he did anything wrong.
At least when Lee Atwater was on his death bed he seemed to have at least some remorse and some
idea of the consequences of his actions.
Rove actually thinks what he was doing was right and he will never regret it.
:grr: