Brunswick Beacon, 01.23.25
Martha Lee’s Jan. 16 letter (“Read the room”) claims “Trump had a landslide victory.” That’s false. He got 49.8% of the vote. His 1.47% margin was the smallest since 2000 and fourth smallest since 1900. Only five presidents won the popular vote by smaller margins than Trump. His 312 electoral votes were far short of Obama’s 332 in 2012 and 365 in 2008.
For the third time, more Americans voted against Trump than for him. He received a lower percentage of the popular vote than Biden in 2020 (51.3%), Obama in 2012 (51.1%) and 2008 (52.9%), George W. Bush in 2004 (50.7%), George H.W. Bush in 1988 (53.2%), Reagan in 1984 (58.8%) and 1980 (50.7%), or Carter in 1976 (50.1%).
Trump’s 44%/49% approval/disapproval rating is the worst to start any presidency, and the only start under 50% except for his 45% approval rating starting his first term.
Nor did Trump have “coattails.” Republicans lost two House seats, yielding the smallest House majority since 1931. They won the Senate, as expected, because 24 Democratic seats were contested versus just 10 for Republicans. But, in Arizona, Michigan, Nevada and Wisconsin, which Trump carried, voters handed four Senate seats to Democrats.
More troubling than Lee’s attempt to rewrite history is her accusation that the Beacon doesn’t “allow” Republican letters. That’s false, as the publication of her letter proves. The Beacon has twice published editorials (“Addressing a misconception,” Feb. 20, 2023 and Sept. 9, 2024) explaining that letters from Republicans are not thrown out. Democrats just write more letters.
Most troubling of all is Lee calling Trump’s critics “swamp, communist, woke radicals” simply because they don’t share her belief that God “sent warring angels” to support a convicted felon and adjudicated rapist.
Lee’s letter contains falsehoods, baseless accusations, and insulting characterizations. Still, I have no issue with the Beacon publishing it. There’s room for all opinions in a Democracy. That’s what free speech is all about.
Nancy Briganti
Carolina Shores
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