Noonan’s ‘Bad Man’ Isn’t the Last Word on Trump

As usual, Peggy Noonan offers meaningful insights into our untidy political landscape in artful prose (“May Trump Soon Reach His Waterloo,” Declarations, July 8). Yet somehow she seems clueless about what drives the third of the electorate that will vote for former President Donald Trump no matter what.

“Always Trumpers” wouldn’t particularly deny that he is a “bad man,” per Ms. Noonan’s definition (not that they consider President Biden a paragon of virtue, either). These voters’ allegiance goes beyond personal characteristics, good or bad. They see Mr. Trump, with all his flaws—in some ways because of his flaws—as the last, best hope for a challenge to the increasingly corrupt and self-serving establishment in both parties.

This doesn’t disprove Ms. Noonan’s contention that Mr. Trump may be the only GOP candidate who can’t beat Mr. Biden. But to many thoughtful Americans, Mr. Trump’s proven policy successes and the values they defend far outweigh his unappealing characteristics and can’t easily be replicated by another candidate.

Everett L. Midkiff III

Huntington Beach, Calif.

Ms. Noonan says what we have all known for years: “He is a bad man.” She doesn’t placate the readers by going along with the grift, but honestly calls them out: “I know it, and if I were a less courteous person I would say that you know it, too.”

Political cults are never good. Let’s pray that this one passes sooner rather than later.

Liz Mitchell

Dallas

My question to Ms. Noonan is: Who are the good men? President Bill Clinton was certainly flawed; I think he did a good job. Both Presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush were good men who did a bad job. Mitt Romney was perhaps the finest man to run for president in my lifetime. It’s hard to imagine him accomplishing anything in today’s Washington.

Is it possible that “good men” aren’t willing to do what it takes? Is it possible for “bad men” to do very good things? Mr. Trump isn’t my first choice for president in 2024, but if he is the nominee, then I say, thank God for Donald J. Trump.

Allan Jason

Newburyport, Mass.

Ms. Noonan’s remark about Mr. Trump’s character comes in reply to a Trump supporter who told her, “Surely you can admit he was a good president.” The evasiveness of her response leads me to believe that, deep down, she may well admit that Mr. Trump was a good president.

Peter Shianna

The Villages, Fla.