Republicans React To ABC Democratic Debate: What Are GOP Candidates Saying On Twitter As Democrats Spar Over Policy?

Saturday night's debate was a chance for the 2016 Democratic presidential candidates — former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley — to have their voices and opinions heard. Naturally, some Republican candidates wanted in on the discussion, as well.

Republicans took to Twitter to voice their reactions, and as some picked on Clinton's policy toward defeating the Islamic State group, others took aim at the Democratic trio's discussion on taxes, with some going for snarky jokes. The usually outspoken Donald Trump, the front-runner on the GOP side, stayed uncharacteristically quiet on social media.

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush was the most active, criticizing Clinton on Twitter for saying the U.S. is now where it needs to be in the fight against ISIS. He also criticized the link she made to conflate gun control and defeating terrorism.

Texas Sen. Ted Cruz took aim at Obamacare, saying it needed a full repeal.

Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul took a swipe at Clinton, but said he was skipping out on watching the debate.

And former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee criticized Democrats for their concern over Sanders staff accessing Clinton's campaign's voter data, implying that the candidates were ignoring more pressing issues.

Clinton has maintained a steady lead since announcing for the 2016 presidential race. A recent Monmouth University poll found that Clinton polled at 59 percent support, whereas her closest challenger, Sanders, was favored by 26 percent of likely Democratic voters. O'Malley held just 4 percent support in the polls. The debate was the third Democratic presidential debate, and was hosted by ABC News and St. Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire.

The debate focused largely on national security and foreign policy. Clinton was asked tough questions about her support for intervention in Libya, which has now become a haven for terrorist groups like ISIS and al Qaeda. Many criticized her assertion that the U.S. is now effectively combating ISIS, given that the group has recently carried out a series of attacks overseas.