The first Democrat debate of the 2016 election cycle took place last night, sparking much energy in American homes and social media. Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders, as the far-and-away top two candidates, consumed much of the attention and talking time, with Martin O’Malley doing a respectable job, while safely staying in his distant third lane. Jim Webb and Lincoln Chafee did not seem to belong on the stage, with anemic polling numbers and uninspiring performances.
How much time each candidate spoke for during the #DemDebate http://t.co/FLxjxpOj6O pic.twitter.com/fikjvwQSWX
— The New York Times (@nytimes) October 14, 2015
Man, O'Mally's closing statement. His writer should get a raise. #DemDebate
— Rana Tahir (@wordsxborders) October 14, 2015
.@HillaryClinton branded herself as a "progressive” who can get things done during #DemDebate: http://t.co/sBKavN2TB2 pic.twitter.com/SsNd3jTIZn
— CNN (@CNN) October 14, 2015
.@AndersonCooper, you were strong tonight, though I hope there are more questions about race at the next debate. #DemDebate
— deray mckesson (@deray) October 14, 2015
There was also a sentiment that the Democratic debate was much more adult, substantive than what we’ve seen so far in the two Republican ones.
.@BernieSanders: #DemDebate was "substantive" and "serious," unlike "food fight" #GOPDebate http://t.co/ixbo4KdXye http://t.co/8ODmwB6mqj
— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) October 14, 2015
Regardless of who 'won' the #DemDebate, I think it's a win for Democrats in terms of policy as well as plain civility between the candidates
— Reese Greiner (@_reesespieces__) October 14, 2015
The Democrats said "middle class" 11 times at #DemDebate; GOP said it 3 times: http://t.co/zK81ZcGV6L via @CNNMoney pic.twitter.com/NxNlPZJPhS
— CNN (@CNN) October 14, 2015
I trust @BernieSanders with my tax dollars like I trust a North Korean chef with my labrador! #DemDebate
— Gov. Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) October 14, 2015
The best line of the night was undeniably when Bernie Sanders said about the attention towards Clinton’s email scandal: “The American people are sick and tired of hearing about your damn emails.”
This moment gives me hope. Let's strive for a compassionate America. #demdebate pic.twitter.com/hmqixtKHt3
— Crystal Reed (@CrystalmReed) October 14, 2015
None of this matters if we don't show up to vote! Educate yourself on the issues and VOTE next year! It's cool. I promise. #DemDebate
— Kevin McHale (@druidDUDE) October 14, 2015