To the Editor:

Re “Why Did So Many Americans Vote for Trump?,” by Will Wilkinson (Op-Ed, nytimes.com, Nov. 27):

The question posed by Mr. Wilkinson is one I have asked myself many times. The answer I have received from friends who are staunch Trump supporters is that they like his policies but not the man. They agree he is dishonest and a man of flawed character, but defend his policies as being the best for this nation.

The policies these friends most favor are smaller government, a bigger military, anti-abortion laws and strong enforcement of immigration laws. Emotions run so high in support of President Trump that reasoned debate has become impossible if friendship is to be maintained.

The friends of whom I speak are good honest people with strong values. They love their families and country. We must remember this if we are to overcome the division among us.

Jenny Orme
Sacramento

To the Editor:

Why? How about an overtly leftist platform, a weak set of presidential candidates culminating in Joe Biden, a divisive leftist as the vice-presidential candidate, and down-ticket politicians with the mantra of more federal bailouts without regard for the downstream economic effects. And then there was the Democratic Party’s cheerleader response to the riots. Isn’t all of that enough?

An open society and a functioning economy are not compatible with long-term shutdowns. This former Obama voter voted twice for Donald Trump. There are millions more of us, and we are not going away.

Paul Levy
Carolina Beach, N.C.

To the Editor:

I’m a lifelong Democrat who is beyond frustrated by the failure of Democratic politicians to communicate a vision that inspires voters and constituents. I agree with Will Wilkinson that calling out the failures, lies and hypocrisy of Republicans is not enough to win votes. By letting Republicans define the issues, Democrats are too often on the defensive.

They continually miss opportunities to lead on issues for which they have popular support (health care, police reform, safety-net policies, among others). They have let President Trump take full credit for the pre-pandemic economy, although it was Barack Obama who had set the trajectory for the recovery, in the face of Republican resistance.

This is now the second consecutive transition from a Republican administration in which the incoming Democrat inherits an economy in severe crisis — yet in the popular imagination, Republicans are still the party of economic strength. Where are the Democratic voices speaking to the heart of these matters?

Joan Albert
Tarrytown, N.Y.

To the Editor:

I was disappointed to read yet another opinion piece about why the Democrats didn’t do better that doesn’t acknowledge the white identity politics that were at play in the Trump campaign. The dog whistle of the Southern strategy is now a bullhorn from coast to coast. It’s clear who was listening.

John Williford
London

To the Editor:

Mr. Wilkinson: We voted for Donald Trump because we love him and believe in him, and think he is doing a good job fighting for us. The economy continues to rebound and was previously booming. Low-cost prescriptions are on the horizon. The Supreme Court is slanting more conservative. Also, he fights for the religious rights of churches and for protections for the unborn.

You say he failed at Covid. Really? Mr. Trump was thrown into a horrific once-in-100-years scenario, but he brought streamlined testing and a vaccine in record time, with only hundreds of thousands dead (as horrible and mind-blowing as that is), unlike the original millions forecast. Not all was smooth sailing, but he and his team worked tirelessly to save lives. Put the blame where it belongs, on China.

One hundred years from now, Mr. Trump’s genius will be celebrated. The distance of time will bring clarity. You just lived through the Trump Revolution.

Kim Markland
Lakewood, N.J.