Sign up for our newsletter.

Quality journalism. Progressive values. Direct to your inbox.

Follow us:

Join the small group of generous readers who donate, keeping Common Dreams free for millions of people each year. Every donation—large or small—helps us bring you the news that matters.

Please support non-profit Common Dreams today.

To donate by check, phone, or other method, see our More Ways to Give page.

Today is the LAST DAY of this Mid-Year Campaign. This is our hour of need.
If you value independent journalism, please support Common Dreams.

To donate by check, phone, or other method, see our More Ways to Give page.

To donate by check, phone, or other method, see our More Ways to Give page.

TODAY is the last day to meet our goal -- Join the small group of generous readers who donate, keeping Common Dreams free for millions of people each year.

To donate by check, phone, or other method, see our More Ways to Give page.

Sen. Bernie Sanders took on the entire top-tier of the GOP field from his Twitter account on Thursday night... and for many, he won the debate hands down. (Photo: CD Collage / Fox News / @BernieSanders)

And the Winner of the Fox News GOP Presidential Debate?... Bernie Sanders

Democratic challenger sits down to enjoy the Republican debate and brings his Twitter account with him

Jon Queally

As Fox News hosted the first full debate between the "top-tier" candidates of the Republican presidential candidates on Thursday night, Sen. Bernie Sanders took in the show with an active social media hashtag to offer his reflections on the GOP discussion—remarking on their responses, making note of what issues they avoided or refused to discuss, and letting his 2016 rivals know what it might look like to #DebateWithBernie.

Ironically, at least according to the Boston Globe's Nik DeCosta-Klipa, it was Sanders who won the GOP debate—at least on Twitter.

Ahead of the evening's debate—which took place at the rather aptly named Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio—Sanders said that for poverty-stricken families, low-income workers, and the middle class to enjoy the Republican's message it would require a creative imagination.

"Listen closely, and this is what they will tell you," Sanders advised. "They want to give more tax breaks to millionaires and billionaires at a time when the rich are getting much richer. … Essentially, when you watch that debate, just imagine if you are one of the wealthiest people in this country and extremely greedy and selfish, and you're going to have 10 candidates more or less talking about your needs and not the needs of the working people."

And he was essentially correct. When the talking was finally over and the debate concluded, Sanders tweeted:

Read the complete catalog of Sanders' responses to Thursday's debate on Twitter:

And the reactions under the hashtag created a chorus of  people saying that Sanders clearly took the night:

According to Twitter, the hashtag #DebateWithBernie was used 56,748 times and @BernieSanders was mentioned 59,935 times during the debate.

Our work is licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0). Feel free to republish and share widely.
Comments

TODAY is the last day of our crucial Mid-Year Campaign and we might not make it without your help.
Who funds our independent journalism? Readers like you who believe in our mission: To inform. To inspire. To ignite change for the common good. No corporate advertisers. No billionaire founder. Our non-partisan, nonprofit media model has only one source of revenue: The people who read and value this work and our mission. That's it.
And the model is simple: If everyone just gives whatever amount they can afford and think is reasonable—$3, $9, $29, or more—we can continue. If not enough do, we go dark.

All the small gifts add up to something otherwise impossible. Please join us today. Donate to Common Dreams. This is crunch time. We need you now.

To donate by check, phone, or other method, see our More Ways to Give page.

Latest News

See all
Demonstrators march in Austin, Texas

Texas Supreme Court Allows Century-Old Abortion Ban to Take Effect

"Extremist politicians are on a crusade to force Texans into pregnancy and childbirth against their will, no matter how devastating the consequences."

Jake Johnson ·

Students grab meals at a lunch counter

'What's There to Even Discuss?' Omar Says Free, Universal School Meals Should Be Permanent

"We have an opportunity to prove that a government of the people, by the people, and for the people can still deliver big things. And we can feed tens of millions of hungry kids while we do it."

Jake Johnson ·

A drilling platform is pulled into the Gulf of Mexico

'Stark Betrayal': Biden Administration Floats New Offshore Oil and Gas Drilling

"This is the third time since November the Biden administration has announced new oil and gas leasing plans on the Friday before a holiday," said one climate advocate. "They're ashamed, and they should be."

Jake Johnson ·

Fòs Feminista

As US Rolls Back Reproductive Rights, Sierra Leone Moves to Decriminalize Abortion

"I'm hopeful today's announcement gives activists in the U.S., and especially Black women given the shared history, a restored faith that change is possible and progress can be made."

Brett Wilkins ·

President Joe Biden speaks to governors

'Indefensible': Outrage as New Reporting Shines Light on Biden Deal With McConnell

The president has reportedly agreed to nominate an anti-abortion Republican to a lifetime judgeship. In exchange, McConnell has vowed to stop blocking two Biden picks for term-limited U.S. attorney posts.

Jake Johnson ·

Common Dreams Logo

To donate by check, phone, or other method, see our More Ways to Give page.