Not only is he the front runner in the polls, Donald Trump leads the number of Twitter mentions from Hill staffers and members after last night's debate but Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) is coming on strong.
Well more than 1,000 tweets were posted using the hashtags #GOPDebate and #CNNDebate since last night. The New York real estate billionaire led the pack for the primetime event. Cruz and Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) also received a high number of shout outs on social media. The candidates, in order of Twitter mentions were:
- Donald Trump - 290
- Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) - 223
- Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) - 184
- Former Gov. Jeb Bush (R-Fla.) - 163
- Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) - 71
- Dr. Ben Carson - 70
- Gov. Chris Christie (R-N.J.) - 69
- Gov. John Kasich (R-Ohio) - 45
- Carly Fiorina - 21
The early "happy hour" debate did not gather nearly as many tweets as the main event. Only one candidate, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) had mentions in the double digits. The number of mentions for the early debate speakers were:
- Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) - 69
- Former Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.) - 8
- Former Gov. George Pataki (R-N.Y.) - 5
- Former Gov. Mike Huckabee (R-Ark.) - 3
Some top Hill tweets included:
Jon Corley, press secretary, Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-Texas)
There aren't enough news outlets this a.m. telling me who won the #GOPDebate last night! Am I supposed to think for myself? Please, tell me!
Matt Wojtkun, press secretary, Rep. Nita Lowey (D-N.Y.)
#GOPDebate winner? Blue suits and red ties.
Alicyn York, constituent services representative, Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.)
BEN CARSON'S VOICE MAKES ME WANT TO BODYSLAM MYSELF AGAINST MY KITCHEN TABLE
Rep. Joaquín Castro (D-Texas)
Trump ordered Cruz not to attack and he obeyed. #GOPDebate
Steven Smith, communications director, Rep. Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.)
I just want to give Lindsey Graham a hug.
Adin Dobkin, press fellow, Rep. Judy Chu (D-Calif.)
Fiorina-Kasich for 2016 Mom and Dad race
J.P. Freire, communications director, Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah)
Someone please tell Donald Trump that he can't vote Jeb off the island.
Dante Atkins, press secretary, Rep. John Garamendi (D-Calif.)
Christie wants to start a hot war with Russia. Time to drink more heavily.
Mattie Duppler, coalitions director, House Republican Conference
omg you guys Pataki is still running for a book deal. I mean President. Still running for President.
Christian Barbato, staff assistant, Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.)
Santorum: "What Donald Trump was saying was nothing against Muslims." Um, wrong
Elise Tollefson, legislative assistant, Rep. Randy Hultgren (R-Ill.)
Oh god Trump is going to be declared winner of this debate because he just congenially patted Cruz on the back.
Yuri Beckelman, deputy chief of staff, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.)
Rubio ducks again... asked about citizenship and responds with green card. Not the same thing. Something he knows.
Jessica Seale, digital director, Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas)
Kasich: It's time that we punched Russia in the nose. I'm not sure this is a foreign policy.
Josh Zembik, communications director, Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.)
Graham says the President is the strongest voice in the world as if @Adele doesn't even exist. #GOPDebate
Madison Cawthorn, staff assistant, Rep. Mark Meadows (R-N.C.)
This Rand Paul little frat pack in the crowd that were just planted to scream for Rand and boo for Trump is so bush league. Grow up Rand.
