Republicans Attack Democrat Debaters on Twitter

Republican presidential candidates took to Twitter to comment on the Democratic debate Tuesday, with most of them focusing on front-runner Hillary Clinton.

Donald Trump, who is leading the GOP field, slammed the candidates throughout — first taking the high road. He sent this tweet about 10 minutes before the debate started:

We will all have fun and hopefully learn something tonight. I will shoot straight and call it as I see it, both the good and the bad. Enjoy!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 14, 2015

Just seconds before the questioning began, Trump sent this out:

Putin is not feeling too nervous or scared. #DemDebate

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 14, 2015

He dismissed former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley:

O'Malley, as former Mayor of Baltimore, has very little chance.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 14, 2015

About an hour into the debate, Trump sought input from other Twitter followers:

Who is winning the debate so far (just last name)? #DemDebate

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 14, 2015

He then sized up all five debaters:

All are very scripted and rehearsed, two (at least) should not be on the stage.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 14, 2015

Clinton then responded to a question about the 2012 Benghazi attacks that killed four Americans and the email controversy. Several GOP candidates responded:

Trump:

The hardest thing Clinton has to do is defend her bad decision making including Iraq vote, e-mails etc.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 14, 2015

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee:

.@HillaryClinton - It's not about your emails, it's about you hiding the truth @ the expense of our national security. #DemDebate

— Gov. Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) October 14, 2015

South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham:

Yes, but don't use that rationale to downplay your role in the disaster that unfolded. #DemDebate https://t.co/v6RQ5QsZHG

— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) October 14, 2015

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush:

Sec. Clinton might be the only person who thinks the Obama/Clinton foreign policy has been a success. "Smart power at its best" Seriously?

— Jeb Bush (@JebBush) October 14, 2015

Former New York Gov. George Pataki:

#Clinton playbook - Commit a crime. Call it a mistake and partisan blow it off and move on to breaking another law.

— George E. Pataki (@GovernorPataki) October 14, 2015

The responses to illegal immigration also drew Republican ire:

Trump:

Notice that illegal immigrants will be given ObamaCare and free college tuition but nothing has been mentioned about our VETERANS #DemDebate

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 14, 2015

Huckabee:

I pledge to oppose amnesty & government benefits for illegal immigrants who violated our laws. --> http://t.co/ejrxeXZtjT #DemDebate

— Gov. Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) October 14, 2015

On other issues, Republicans widely dinged Clinton.

Former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum:

.@HillaryClinton now says she's #blessed. I thought she was dead broke? #DemDebate

— Rick Santorum (@RickSantorum) October 14, 2015

Pataki:

@HillaryClinton will all Americans be paid to give $250k speeches to colleges? Equal opportunity #clintonstyle #DemDebate

— George E. Pataki (@GovernorPataki) October 14, 2015

Trump hit Clinton on ducking the question on "Black Lives Matter":

Sanders said only black lives matter - wow! Hillary did not answer question!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 14, 2015

Huckabee said this on the responses to legalizing medical marijuana:

Marijuana question appropriate. Democrats smoking it if they think their policies will save this country. #DemDebate #ImWithHuck

— Gov. Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) October 14, 2015

Ninety minutes into the debate — an hour before it actually ended on CNN — Trump rendered his decision:

Sorry, there is no STAR on the stage tonight!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 14, 2015

Graham soon followed:

I think Twitter is more informative than #DemDebate tonight https://t.co/lIUZUJ9rDf

— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) October 14, 2015

Throughout the night Trump re-tweeted many posts that praised him:

"@keksec_org: The only winner of the #DemDebate is @realDonaldTrump." This is not a great debate - a little sad!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 14, 2015

"@julieruot: I want a president who believes all lives matter and that is why we need @realDonaldTrump."

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 14, 2015

"@i_am__tyler: I can't wait for @realDonaldTrump to debate one of these clowns! All are so weak!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 14, 2015

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