The GOP Debate, As Seen on Twitter
2016 is going to be a campaign season unlike any other, and tonight’s first debate has set the stage. We had arguments, sarcasm, awkward moments and some genuinely funny jokes.
Here’s a little rundown of how Twitter saw the debate.
To kick off the debate, the hopefuls were asked to pledge that they would support the GOP candidate, whoever that may be, and not run as a third party. Anyone who did not agree was asked to raise his hand and, unsurprisingly, Donald Trump’s hand went into the air. With that, the debate was off and running.
https://twitter.com/haleyelaine24/status/629461060651761664
Chris Christie and Rand Paul got heated in their discussion of NSA and 4th amendment issues, the first big candidate-on-candidate fight of the night.
— Rick Wilson (@TheRickWilson) August 7, 2015
There was one thing everyone was wondering … where is Ben Carson? He didn’t get a question for a good long while, and viewers sure noticed.
I'm convinced @RealBenCarson left the stage to go get tacos #GOPdebate
— Scooter Schaefer (@ScooterSchaefer) August 7, 2015
https://twitter.com/MooseOfReason/status/629467773022957569
At last, Carson was called on and replied with “Thanks for the question, Megyn. I didn’t think I was going to get to talk again.”
Almost to the end, candidates were asked what God would have them do first as president.
https://twitter.com/BillyHallowell/status/629484918196858880
https://twitter.com/BillyHallowell/status/629485380916641792
Rubio gave a heartfelt answer, but he got in a little shot at the Democrats, and the crowd went wild.
https://twitter.com/BillyHallowell/status/629485713801748480
So, who won? Rubio made nearly everyone’s list.
https://twitter.com/ellencarmichael/status/629489961473978369
Cruz, Rubio led the night tonight. #GOPDebate
— Dana Loesch (@DLoesch) August 7, 2015
Rubio did best on the could-see-this-guy-as-president test.
— Phil Kerpen (@kerpen) August 7, 2015
My overall conclusions. Based purely on debate performance, nothing else, I can see Carly, Rubio and Walker coping in a debate w Clinton…
— Liz Mair (@LizMair) August 7, 2015
My #GOPDebate rankings
1 Rubio
2 Walker
3 Paul
4 Cruz
5 Carson
6 Kasich
7 Christie
8 Trump
9 Bush
10 Huckabee— Derek Hunter (@derekahunter) August 7, 2015
Now, we are officially off to the races. Only 15 months to go. Are you ready?
Big picture after tonight's debates: GOP in pretty good shape.
— Bill Kristol (@BillKristol) August 7, 2015