Highs and lows of the Twitter GOP viewing party

In 2015, nobody should have to watch a GOP debate alone.

Even if you don't have any politically minded friends, there's a world of social media out there waiting for you to join in. In case you weren’t part of the Twitter party during CNN’s GOP debates, here’s a selection of highlights, lowlights and, well, other reactions on social media:

Trump came out swinging

The debate started with Donald Trump at center stage, wasting no time in taking shots at his rivals for the nomination.

At everyone.

And pretty soon, everyone was swinging at everyone else.

 

The debate was an emotional roller-coaster

 

Trump was the master of emotion, at least for the first half of the debate.

 

Ben Carson, on the other hand, was fairly docile.

 

 

Even when Trump used some potentially dubious science to talk about autism, Carson let him talk.

 

Carson’s wardrobe also had mixed reviews.

Gimme five -- uh, gimme a hug? OK, a shoulder pat?

 

The Internet loves the awkward moment that Trump and Carson shared. Not quite hug, not quite dap, not quite handshake. Will this be the new hot greeting of 2016?

 

… Probably not.

 

But practice makes perfect, and Trump eventually got the whole high-five thing down.

Bush worked social media with the drug references

 

Moments after admitting to smoking marijuana, Jeb Bush apologized to his mother on television – and on Twitter.

The Internet went nuts.

 

Who’s picking these topics?

While many presidential candidates have been forced to address such serious issues as police brutality, or pressed to comment on the Black Lives Matter movement while on the trail, the CNN GOP debates did not address these topics.

 

Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, who remarked on drug laws disproportionately affecting minorities, did get some attention.

 

But in the end, neither police brutality nor Black Lives Matter were given significant air time.

Fiorina came ready to play ball

 

Half an hour into the debate, Carly Fiorina was the first to delve into specifics about foreign policy.

She came prepared, and left more than a few people a bit stunned.

More money, more problems

 

When the candidates started talking about putting their loved ones on the $10 bill, a lot of the Internet got confused:

 

 

Even when Marco Rubio, Ted Cruz and Trump talked about putting Rosa Parks on the currency, some people weren’t convinced.

 

 

Speaking of money, Trump often comments about his personal riches and success in business, but during the debates, he boasted that he didn’t take money from special interests. “I turned down so much that I could have, from special interests ... double and triple what [Bush] has got.”

One kind person summarized his words in GIF form:

 

Is it safe now?

Bush found himself in the inevitable and unenviable position of addressing his brother's presidency. Trump said that President Obama being elected was a result of George W. Bush's administration being a "disaster." In reply, Bush said of his brother: "There's one thing I know for sure: He kept us safe."Some people didn't quite buy that.

If you don't know about the young man pictured above, see this informational article, but be forewarned that it does contain strong language.

 

 

Follow me @dexdigi for more on the intersection of culture and the Internet.