With ten candidates taking the stage for the first Republican primary debate, things are bound to get a little chaotic. With everyone jockeying for position over current frontrunner Donald Trump, it helps to have clear, pointed questions ready to go.
So as long as you’re organizing a questionnaire, why not open the floor to the public? Involve the Twittersphere directly in the democratic process?
— Shelby Kent-Stewart (@ShelbyKentStewa) August 4, 2015
— John (@linnyitssn) August 4, 2015
— Gavin Carpenter (@CarpenterGavin) August 7, 2015
Of course, given that most of the candidates on stage have, at one time or another, said outlandishly offensive things about a large group of people, the hashtag was hard to take seriously.
Kelly will be co-moderating the debate with Chris Wallace and Bret Baier. While most will tune in to hear what’s next from the outlandishly offensive Trump, the billionaire will be flanked by nine other candidates who will presumably have things to say.
— Tony Posnanski (@tonyposnanski) August 4, 2015
— Mr. Ross (@rossbruce) August 7, 2015
— dcdulce (@dcdulce) August 6, 2015
Jeb Bush will also be present, the oft-described "adult in the room." Scott Walker as well. Mike Huckabee should be interesting to watch. And then there’s Ben Carson, Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio, Rand Paul, Chris Christie, and John Kasich.
A secondary tier of lower ranking hopefuls took part in a debate earlier on Thursday. Before fielding typical policy questions about immigration and foreign affairs, moderators kickstarted that debate by essentially asking, "What hope do you have?"
— Rick Anthony Olson (@TeegsOlson) August 7, 2015
— Chris RG (@Crzy61RG) August 6, 2015
— Hiranya S. Roychowdh (@hroychow) August 6, 2015
— Rodger Cambria (@vampire_skwid) August 6, 2015
Awkward smiles aside, Carly Fiorina, Rick Perry, Rick Santorum, Bobby Jindal, Lindsey Graham, George Pataki, and Jim Gilmore took it in stride.
"It’s adrenaline. It’s excitement about the unknown," Kelly told USA Today in the hours leading up to the main event. "You want to be respectful toward the candidates and the process. You have to give it your all. You have to go in there prepared to really bring it."
Hope all the questions help, Megyn.
— Count Dante (@countdante67) August 4, 2015
— Bob Doucette (@RMhigh7088) August 6, 2015
— Rick Ladd (@rickladd) August 6, 2015
— Barracks O'Bama (@P0TUS) August 4, 2015
— Lane Lewis (@HCDPChair) August 6, 2015
