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.
This debate has been fire since the moment Trump raised his hand.
— Hales (@haleyelaine24) August 7, 2015
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
Did anyone else get the Amber Alert for a Benjamin Carson? #GOPDebate
— Jeff (@MooseOfReason) August 7, 2015
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.
Ted Cruz just shared his dad’s testimony and said, “The scripture tells us, ‘You shall know them by their fruits.'"
— Billy Hallowell (@BillyHallowell) August 7, 2015
“Nothing’s more important to me than my family, my faith and my friends.” -Kasich
— Billy Hallowell (@BillyHallowell) August 7, 2015
Rubio gave a heartfelt answer, but he got in a little shot at the Democrats, and the crowd went wild.
“I think God has blessed us. He's blessed the Republican Party with some very good candidates. The Dems can't even find one.” -Marco Rubio
— Billy Hallowell (@BillyHallowell) August 7, 2015
So, who won? Rubio made nearly everyone’s list.
My winners: Rubio (in my view, best of night), Christie, Walker, Bush. Middle: Cruz, Paul, Huckabee, Carson, Kasich. My loser: Trump.
— Ellen L. Carmichael (@ellencarmichael) August 7, 2015
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
