University to host panel and movie on political strategist Lee Atwater March 31
March 17, 2009
COLUMBIA, SC – March 17, 2009 – The department of political science at the University of South Carolina will screen the movie, “Boogieman, The Lee Atwater Story,” Tuesday, March 31, and host a panel discussion with Samuel Tenenbaum and Warren Tompkins.
The event, which is free and open to the public, will take place in Gambrell Hall, Room 153. The movie will run from 6:30 – 8 p.m., with the panel discussion scheduled for 8 – 8:45 p.m. A reception with light refreshments will take place in the lobby after the event.
“The film offers a fascinating tale of the rise to prominence and power of a young South Carolinian obsessed with politics, while also documenting the ease with which politics can become a kind of guerrilla war in which only winning matters,” said Dr. Dan Sabia, chairman of the department. “That second message is an old one, of course, but it bears repeating today, when most citizens are looking to politicians for guidance and solutions, not acrimony and partisan militancy.”
University professor Dr. Blease Graham, an authority on South Carolina politics and organizer of the event, will introduce the panel and film. Dr. David Whiteman, professor of political science whose expertise includes film, politics and social change, will moderate the panel.
Tenenbaum, a political activist who had extensive interaction with Atwater, has also led a number of charitable organizations. Tompkins, a political consultant and former aide to Gov. Carroll Campbell, is familiar with Atwater’s role in developing Republican success in the state and nation.
A native of South Carolina, Atwater earned a Master’s degree in Communications from the university. He was chairman of the GOP and a controversial figure for his tactics as a political strategist. The documentary, “Boogieman,” released last fall, recounts Atwater’s life and political influence; it was produced and directed by Stephan Forbes.
For more information, contact Graham at [email protected] or Sabia at 803-777-3109.
