At Wednesday evening’s CNBC GOP debate, the social-media response was not as unimpressed as with the second GOP round in October. The CNBC moderators lobbed a variety of questions at the leading Republican candidates, with Donald Trump answering some repeat inquiries (mainly about his bankruptcies and his self-funded campaign). Overall, the debate lacked the shocking moments of the first GOP debate but contained a few surprises.
Early on, Bill Maher displayed a shared frustration with Ted Cruz over how dumb some of the questions were.
Oh lord,another debate with more STUPID QUESTIONS?! Asking "What's your weakness?" is an invitation to a humblebrag, fools! Back to the Mets
— Bill Maher (@billmaher) October 29, 2015
Seth MacFarlane did not disappoint with a smattering of scathing responses.
https://twitter.com/SethMacFarlane/status/659537643970174976
https://twitter.com/SethMacFarlane/status/659551979623067649
https://twitter.com/SethMacFarlane/status/659554053052084225
Michael Moore‘s stance was also predictable but amusing all the same.
I'm so excited! It's starting! The Comedy Central special on CNBC: The Dinosaur Debate! #GOPDebate
— Michael Moore (@MMFlint) October 29, 2015
Patton Oswalt‘s imagined “closing statements” for several candidates was a Twitter highlight. He thoroughly enjoys these debates.
"At the center of the universe lies a blind, idiot beast-god. I will be devoured." — Carly Fiorina #closingstatements #GOPDebate
— Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) October 29, 2015
"Let me lead you to the midnight tunnel. We will die and live again. Blood-laughter." — Ben Carson #closingstatements #GOPDebate
— Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) October 29, 2015
"Guess I'd be a good pres'dent. I dunno. I don't care. Whatever." — Jeb Bush #closingstatements #GOPDebate
— Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) October 29, 2015
"America is a cronut. Let my mind-heart eat it and turn it into Jesus-turds." — Mike Huckabee #closingstatements #GOPDebate
— Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) October 29, 2015
"The shadows. The shadows," — Marcio Rubio #closingstatements #GOPDebate
— Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) October 29, 2015
On a slightly more serious note, Twitter did take notice of Marco Rubio‘s early comeback against Jeb Bush asking why– as a senator — Rubio’s attendance record was so spotty. Rubio’s public-speaking abilities are impressive, but his student-loan comments (saying his wife didn’t appreciate $1,000 per month going to someone called “Sallie Mae”) did inspire some ribbing:
Bush v Rubio is like watching Rocky 5. #CNBCGOPDebate
— Dane Cook (@DaneCook) October 29, 2015
https://twitter.com/JessicaValenti/status/659537732297994241
Rubio "I didn't inherit any money, dad was a bartender" ie "come at me Kennebunkport boy & NYC Trustafarian"
— Luke Russert (@LukeRussert) October 29, 2015
https://twitter.com/KirstenPowers/status/659537758977925120
Marco Rubio again displays the best raw political skills on the stage.
— Nicholas Kristof (@NickKristof) October 29, 2015
Damn Rubio. She pulled those receipts. Yikes. #GOPDebate pic.twitter.com/YsgP1Dgc4A
— Johnetta Elzie (@Nettaaaaaaaa) October 29, 2015
Ted Cruz peddling ganj brownies; Jeb Bush offering gender-non-specific kisses. I'm confused AF #GOPDebate!
— Jeffrey Wright 🥜 (@jfreewright) October 29, 2015
I like Kasich but he came out swinging like the guy Richard Pryor describes who gets drunk & wants fight everybody but can't beat nobody.
— Jeffrey Wright 🥜 (@jfreewright) October 29, 2015
Meanwhile, Trump confidently coasted through most of his questions, but he generated controversy by … oh never mind, people were still talking about Rubio.
https://twitter.com/toddstarnes/status/659530536097067010
Mentor-on-protege violence at the #GOPDebate Will Rubio steal Jeb!'s exclamation point?
— David Corn (@DavidCornDC) October 29, 2015
#CNBCGOPDebate Moment 1: Jeb v Marco – gloves off – Jeb tells him to do his job or quit – Rubio punches back big time
— Martha MacCallum (@marthamaccallum) October 29, 2015
https://twitter.com/scrowder/status/659530394749026304
https://twitter.com/seanmdav/status/659530374721216513
Mario Rubio just destroyed Jeb Bush much in the same way that Russell Westbrook destroys good fashion sense. #ThrowItDown
— Not Bill Walton (@NotBillWalton) October 29, 2015
Failed attack by Jeb.
Rubio's answers so far hit the "wait your turn" establishment, mainstream media & Dems' failed record. #GOPDebate
— Guy Benson (@guypbenson) October 29, 2015
