Republican Presidential Debate 2016 Live Update: Best Twitter Reactions, Memes And Analysis As It Happens

When real estate mogul Donald Trump, former neurosurgeon Ben Carson and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio take the stage Wednesday night, there will be a lot of pressure on each of them -- and the other seven Republican candidates sharing the stage -- to deliver strong performances. There will be the viewers at home, wondering which of the candidates deserve their vote. But there also will be the Twitter universe waiting eagerly to write snappy comments and jokes at the GOP’s expense.
The main debate was slated for 8 p.m. EDT and an earlier debate for low-polling candidates began at 6 p.m. EDT. The CNBC debate marks the third time all of the cream of the GOP crop will be on the same stage at the same time. If past debates are any indication, individual performances could put fire behind any one of the candidates and propel them higher in the polls. For some, however, the debate is seen as one of the last good chances to show off to voters and potential donors that they’re worth a second look.
While the stakes are high, there is still plenty of time for upsets in the race. The first votes in the nominating season won’t be cast until Feb. 1, just over three months after the third debate. Carson was in fifth place before the first debate in August, but has since moved up to second place, according to an average of national polls by Real Clear Politics. Some recent polls even have him beating Trump, who enjoyed over 100 days at the head of the pack. Carson’s ascent took place in just over two months.
As the 10 candidates try to show they’re legitimate contenders for their party’s nomination, take a look here for a live update of tweets with insight and humor from across the nation. Who will come out on top is anyone’s guess, but the night is almost certain to have its fair share of memorable moments. Happy debate watching!
Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz have been quietly, steadily on the rise. This debate seemed to confirm their strength and staying power.
— Rebecca Berg (@rebeccagberg) October 29, 2015
Trump wasn't dominant tonight, but slamming CNBC at the end helped.
— David Boze (@DavidBozeShow) October 29, 2015
Well I DO want to walk my grandchildren through the charred remains of a once great America.
— Joan Walsh (@joanwalsh) October 29, 2015
Trump's closing statement? If it wasn't for me, this debate would be even longer. Victory!
— Amy Davidson (@tnyCloseRead) October 29, 2015
.#cnbcgopdebate Fiorina: I may not be your dream candidate but I am Hillary Clinton's worse nightmare.
— John Eggerton (@eggerton) October 29, 2015
"We are the ones who decide who we are." –Ben Carson
— Katherine Miller (@katherinemiller) October 29, 2015
Fascinating: Ben Carson does NOT close his eyes during closing statement. It's only when he's answering questions (he can't answer)
— Joan Walsh (@joanwalsh) October 29, 2015
Debate clock:
Rubio: 8:44
Fiorina: 8:37
Kasich: 8:06
Trump: 7:44
Cruz: 6:52
Christie: 6:30
Huckabee: 5:47
Carson: 5:28
Paul: 5:03
Bush: 4:56
— NPR Politics (@nprpolitics) October 29, 2015
Bush: I've greatly enjoyed watching tonight's debate.
— Jacob Weisberg (@jacobwe) October 29, 2015
Huckabee: "Donald Trump would be a better president every day of the week and twice on Sunday than Hillary Clinton." #CNBCGOPDebate
— Roger Simon (@politicoroger) October 29, 2015
Oh yes it was. https://t.co/Ax1wbUXlQL
— Chris Cillizza (@TheFix) October 29, 2015
Trump could've won the night by pulling a gun out of his waistband. Missed opportunity. #GOPDebate
— Ian Tuttle (@iptuttle) October 29, 2015
As a member of the Mainstream Media (sort of) I'm feeling very got at tonight #GOPdebate
— Ed Pilkington (@Edpilkington) October 29, 2015
Almost the only women who get mentioned in #GOPDebate are "single moms," like Cruz's mention of "single moms buying hamburger." #GOPDebate
— Lisa Bloom (@LisaBloom) October 29, 2015
Ted Cruz rips into Carlos Quintanilla then offers him pot brownies during the #GOPDebate: https://t.co/HEaQJQWSPv pic.twitter.com/oMnu4bMYnZ
— E! Online (@eonline) October 29, 2015
Cruz has HAD IT with the drama at the #GOPDebate
https://t.co/kxPuhQCgHS
— NowThis (@nowthisnews) October 29, 2015
If you got “mainstream media” in your drinking game tonight, you might need to call @SenTedCruz for that ride home. #GOPDebate
— Michael Skolnik (@MichaelSkolnik) October 29, 2015
Good thing the mainstream media isn't running for president, amirite? #GOPDebate pic.twitter.com/UezgtbakFp
— ELLE Magazine (US) (@ELLEmagazine) October 29, 2015
Where's @RandPaul? #GOPDebate pic.twitter.com/WVjb0LEWoR
— College Republicans (@CRNC) October 29, 2015
Carson: "They know." If that's not Carson's slogan by tomorrow...
— John Dickerson (@jdickerson) October 29, 2015
Becky Quick points out Rubio made $1m on bookdeal Rubio: I paid off my debts, "It's available on paperback." Applause
— Marc Caputo (@MarcACaputo) October 29, 2015
Did he just mention Welfare and rich people in the same sentence ? #GOPDebate
— Ᏸecca (@MJStarLover) October 29, 2015
Who makes $40,000? Bruh @marcorubio #GOPDebate #idecide2016
— Astrid Silva (@Astrid_NV) October 29, 2015
"My dad was a bartender, my mother was a maid, I'm running for president, and my dog talks" MARCO, this fall on the CW #GOPDebate
— Matt Oswalt (@puddinstrip) October 29, 2015
"That 'Jeb' person looks like me..." #GOPDebate pic.twitter.com/4BEcWM4xi2
— Diane N. Sevenay (@Diane_7A) October 29, 2015
Lapel flags on ALL the candidates are way too small. Shameful. #GOPDebate
— Bill Corbett (@BillCorbett) October 29, 2015
Jeb Bush Inching Podium Closer To Center Of Stage During Commercial Breaks https://t.co/7qFl1d8aln #GOPDebate pic.twitter.com/Q7mdCmRHTb
— The Onion (@TheOnion) October 29, 2015
— Chris Cillizza (@TheFix) October 29, 2015
How many agencies and sub-agencies in the federal government? Ben Carson: 645 Federal Register: 438 https://t.co/5i3zqluw1o
— Danny Vinik (@DannyVinik) October 29, 2015
Jeb is gone by Thanksgiving. Or should be. This is just sad.
— Joan Walsh (@joanwalsh) October 29, 2015
Carly Fiorina is now explaining the definition of the phrase "crony capitalism."
— Liam Stack (@liamstack) October 29, 2015
"I don't recall them calling for his resignation." — @marcorubio https://t.co/IFr6cQcOWR #GOPDebate #CNBCGOPDebate pic.twitter.com/eOd6wuFEUJ
— The Weekly Standard (@weeklystandard) October 29, 2015
Ben Carson, Mumbling Incoherently Toward The Presidency #GOPDebate
— Aaron Fullerton (@AaronFullerton) October 29, 2015
I can't drink wine while listening to Ben Carson. It's a dangerous lethargic mix. #GOPDebate
— Calvin (@aurosan) October 29, 2015
Hey @JohnKasich, do you need some aloe vera for that sick burn @realDonaldTrump just did to you? #GOPDebate pic.twitter.com/bAXwIZ1k1B
— octavian (@drewmistak) October 29, 2015
“John got lucky with a thing called fracking, he hit oil," Trump says of Kasich: https://t.co/eQjP827BP3 #GOPDebate
— Reuters Live (@ReutersLive) October 29, 2015
The #gopdebate hand-wave pic.twitter.com/GVvYS8XDSV
— The Daily Beast (@thedailybeast) October 29, 2015
Chris Christie is wearing Mets cufflinks tonight pic.twitter.com/hCSlAFvzFt
— Hunter Schwarz (@hunterschwarz) October 29, 2015
Lindsay Graham will get you drunk. Ted Cruz will drive you home.
— michaelscherer (@michaelscherer) October 29, 2015
Okay, how weird is that Trump is the only one who admitted he has an actual weakness.
— Amanda Marcotte (@AmandaMarcotte) October 29, 2015
Donald Trump’s biggest weakness is that he knows what you did, Fredo. You broke his heart. #CNBCGOPDebate
— daveweigel (@daveweigel) October 29, 2015
John Kasich could not care less about your questions
— Wesley Lowery (@WesleyLowery) October 29, 2015
What was the rule from college? Wasn't it that if a professor was more than 15 minutes late you could leave? #GOPDebate
— Karen Tumulty (@ktumulty) October 29, 2015
Note: The top 10 candidates are now on the debate stage.
CNBC anchor: "Jeb Bush needs to have a good night tonight." I broke that news. You have to credit me.
— Matt Bai (@mattbai) October 29, 2015
So CNBC let #WorldSeries first pitch happen before #GOPDebate first question
— Mike Memoli (@mikememoli) October 29, 2015
Let the Wookiee win. https://t.co/kj6VftfbOk
— Michael Steel (@michael_steel) October 29, 2015
After hearing @LindseyGrahamSC talk foreign policy tonight, it's clear he belongs on the big stage.
— Mitt Romney (@MittRomney) October 28, 2015
Gen X! https://t.co/SvzS6ISyCq
— Dana Bash (@DanaBashCNN) October 28, 2015
Cost of an ad on CNBC last night: $5,000 Cost of an ad on CNBC tonight: $250,000 https://t.co/6tCt4cV8wL #GOPDebate
— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) October 28, 2015
Pataki: I'm normal like you, I used to have a driver, but now I use uber!
— Ginger Gibson (@GingerGibson) October 28, 2015
Lindsey Graham can't stop talking about security but his site is the only one without HTTPS: https://t.co/nkvqUWjwVt #GOPDebate
— jon hendren (@fart) October 28, 2015
When you don't know if someone is going in for the high-5 or fist bump pic.twitter.com/PTJeIsK6wB
— Benny (@bennyjohnson) October 28, 2015
"sen. santorum, in the words of demi lovato, what's wrong with being confident?"
— Tony Romm (@TonyRomm) October 28, 2015
Jindal doesn't have an iPhone?! WHAT? WHAT?
— Chris Cillizza (@TheFix) October 28, 2015
Graham has a second career as a political comedian.
— David M. Drucker (@DavidMDrucker) October 28, 2015
AND ANOTHER THING #GOPDebate pic.twitter.com/OFgQhHApge
— Fusion (@ThisIsFusion) October 28, 2015
“If you’re looking for good beer policy...My dad owned a bar," @LindseyGrahamSC #GOPDebate https://t.co/heHFURkt7b pic.twitter.com/ojErIU5eyl
— CNN (@CNN) October 28, 2015
*settles in to another evening of chemo*
*turns on hospital TV, #GOPDebate airing*
*turns off TV, goes back to chemo*
— ¡Gabe! Ortíz (@TUSK81) October 28, 2015
.@RandPaul arriving at the debate in Colorado! #GOPDebate pic.twitter.com/KjyMxgNMZh
— Sergio Gor (@SergioGor) October 28, 2015
"If you are looking for good beer policy I'm your best bet" -- Sen. Graham, who then segues to his personal story.
— R. Stassen-Berger (@RachelSB) October 28, 2015
Graham: best for beer drinkers and a nightmare for dictators.
— Neil King (@NKingofDC) October 28, 2015
Best debate line so far. Bobby Jindal: "Imagine if you were alive today." #CNBCGOPDebate
— Roger Simon (@politicoroger) October 28, 2015
Please don't take the SC attitude to Washington! - SC-ian Aziz Ansari #GOPDebate
— Aziz Ansari (@azizansari) October 28, 2015
Watching #GOPDebate, the Early Card participants diving into issues. Refreshing.Need this from here/out from both political parties.
— HarrisFaulkner (@HARRISFAULKNER) October 28, 2015
How we feel when Republicans try to justify their opposition to paid family leave. #GOPDebate #OMGOP pic.twitter.com/DWJWUYWAMM
— The Democrats (@TheDemocrats) October 28, 2015
Who will dare to drink every time a moderator says "You didn't answer the question" #GOPDebate
— Andrew Katz (@katz) October 28, 2015
Don't mess with @LindseyGrahamSC. Get the latest from the undercard #GOPDebate here: https://t.co/5Cj1xWMdtQ pic.twitter.com/v9UX8yf02u
— HuffPost Politics (@HuffPostPol) October 28, 2015
Rand Paul And Chris Christie Aides Forced To Work From Bathroom During Debate https://t.co/5hg2n2ruEc #GOPDebate pic.twitter.com/y669yc25YN
— The Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) October 28, 2015
La. Gov. Bobby Jindal gets the1st question of the #GOPDebate: Why is his experience more valuable than outsiders? https://t.co/tweMqUDHBA
— AP Politics (@AP_Politics) October 28, 2015
"Barack Obama is an incompetent commander-in-chief," says @LindseyGrahamSC. #GOPDebate
— FOX Business (@FoxBusiness) October 28, 2015
"I've never seen so many threats to our homeland than I do today," says @LindseyGrahamSC at "happy hour" #GOPDebate. pic.twitter.com/6ZhQa9FJHf
— CBS News Politics (@CBSPolitics) October 28, 2015
“THANK YOU BOULDER” – Lindsey Graham, also Taylor Swift at the end of her tour stop there #GOPDebate
— Kevin BOO'Keeffe (@kevinpokeeffe) October 28, 2015
Marco Rubio Balances #GOPDebate Prep & Fantasy Football In Funniest Ad Of 2016 [VIDEO] https://t.co/3dGmPzh9qs pic.twitter.com/YbGEaWjl0L
— The Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) October 28, 2015
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