20 Tweets From Last Night’s Presidential Debate

I get a little peeved when people, pundits, and politicians say that the country has never been so politically divided or rancorous than it is now.

However, until a member of Congress is caned on the floor of the House or Senate—like Charles Sumner was by Preston Brooks in 1856—then I maintain that we’ve experienced much more harrowing political times.

However, it certainly looked like President Obama and Mitt Romney were close to coming to blows in last night’s Presidential debate. It was refreshing to see two politicians who clearly hate each other sparring off in a debate rather than a boring recitation of sound bites (which of course they worked in, but still).

The real winner to me was Candy Crowley, the moderator from CNN. She redeemed journalists after Jim Lehrer’s comatose performance in the first debate. Thanks for making me proud of my degree Ms. Crowley!

I spent the majority of the debate on Twitter trying to keep up with the informed, witty, and inspired banter on my newsfeed. Here are 20 tweets I thought were worth sharing. 

I'm just waiting for a fist fight. Who's going to throw the first punch? #debates
— Chelsea Clements (@ChelsClems) October 17, 2012

"Here we go," Obama says. He opens a Bud Light Platinum. #makeitplatinum
— Kevin Lincoln (@KTLincoln) October 17, 2012

Obama didn't mention the real first thing he did: deport a record number of illegal immigrants. #debate
— Conor Friedersdorf (@conor64) October 17, 2012

George W. Bush just crashed through ceiling to defend himself #debates
— Onion Politics (@OnionPolitics) October 17, 2012

You can just feel Romney firing people.
— Albert Brooks (@AlbertBrooks) October 17, 2012

Thank God! Romney just promised that I won't be taxed on my non-existent capital gains.
— digby (@digby56) October 17, 2012

"Did I get your name right? Good. Now shut up and fix me a sandwich, woman. Mas rapido!" - What Mitt Romney was thinking
— Charlie Skinner (@iamdrunksam) October 17, 2012

The president just lost the peckerwood sheriff vote. #debate
— Charles P. Pierce (@ESQPolitics) October 17, 2012

Get two dudes in a room and eventually they'll start talking about whose pension's bigger. MEN. #debates
— James Poniewozik (@poniewozik) October 17, 2012

CANDY IF YOU INTERRUPT ME ONE MORE TIME, YOU'RE OUT OF THE BINDER.
— Jay Caspian Kang (@jaycaspiankang) October 17, 2012

I think a degree of blame for the embassy attack belongs to the people who attacked the embassy.
— Paul Carr (@paulcarr) October 17, 2012

Romney needs a binder full of Obama Rose Garden Statements #debates
— Romney Binders (@RomneyBinders) October 17, 2012

So I guess there would be no more gun violence if everyone would just get married (except gays).
— Mark Harris (@MarkHarrisNYC) October 17, 2012

Assault weapons to single parents in five easy steps.
— Derek Thompson (@DKThomp) October 17, 2012

Candy has had entirely enough of your bullshit. #debate
— Charles P. Pierce (@ESQPolitics) October 17, 2012

There isn't ONE person in that whole audience that looks like they wouldn't work at the bank. #debates
— Chris D'Elia (@chrisdelia) October 17, 2012

Literally everyone in that audience has to pee.
— Richard Lawson (@rilaws) October 17, 2012

So, basically, these guys flew to New York to talk about China to an audience of Ohio undecideds
— Derek Thompson (@DKThomp) October 17, 2012

Retweet if you think Obama won. Consult a psychiatrist if you think Romney won. #debate2012 #hofstradebate
— Big Bird (@BlGBlRD) October 17, 2012

Undecided voter: "The price of tater-tots is SKY HIGH."
— Sara Courtney (@SaraCourtney13) October 17, 2012