The self-described Democratic socialist’s barbed remarks racked up thousands of retweets and favourites during the Republican debate Wednesday night

This article is more than 5 years old

This article is more than 5 years old

One of the surprise stars of the GOP debate on Wednesday night was the Vermont senator and Democratic presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders.

Sanders announced he would be live-tweeting the debate just after 8pm. It turned out to be a winning decision as the self-described Democratic socialist’s barbed remarks racked up thousands of retweets and favourites.

“Rubio knows California has a drought. Will he have the courage to connect that to climate change or reject the science?” was one of Sanders first burns.

Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) Rubio knows California has a drought. Will he have the courage to connect that to climate change or reject the science? #DebateWithBernie

The 73-year-old was responding to a joke by Florida senator Marco Rubio referencing his thirst during a state of the union speech almost three years earlier.

Donald Trump had begun his debate performance with an attack on Kentucky senator Rand Paul. After Paul reminded the audience that Trump had repeatedly criticised people for their appearance – including fellow Republican presidential candidate Carly Fiorina – Trump shot back.

“I never attacked him on his look, and believe me there’s plenty of subject matter right there,” the business mogul said.



Right on cue, there was Sanders, seemingly capturing the thoughts of many:

Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) Trump. What a pleasant and humble person. Can't stop saying kind and generous things about his fellow Republicans. #DebateWithBernie

Sanders’ tweets did not just point out the obvious problems with the debate. He repeatedly chided those on stage for their focus on war and foreign intervention. Both for the spending:

Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) Now we're really getting to the Republican talking points. More money for war and confrontation. #DebateWithBernie

And for the success, or lack thereof, of previous wars:

Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) Gee. How come these guys are not talking about the great "success" of Bush's foreign policy and the war in Iraq? #DebateWithBernie

Sanders recently overtook Hillary Clinton, the presumed Democratic frontrunner, in the polls in Iowa and New Hampshire, and much of his success has been attributed to his willingness to discuss issues rarely raised in political debates. As the Republicans lined up to state their opposition to abortion, Sanders gave the opposite view.

Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) Does anyone on that stage believe the women of this country have the right to control their own bodies? Anyone? #DebateWithBernie

Clinton herself tweeted live coverage of the GOP debate. Echoing Sanders, she said that only women should “make decisions about their own bodies”.

The former secretary of state also commented on the introduction into the debate of Kim Davis, the Kentucky clerk who was briefly jailed after refusing to conduct same-sex marriages. Mike Huckabee, the former Arkansas governor, attended a rally in her honour last week, and reiterated her support for her, and opposition to same-sex marriage, during the debate.