@tedcruz looks like he's trying not to laugh at Sadler #txsen #belodebate
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Saul Mendoza (@Saullm13) October 03, 2012Believe it or not, Ted Cruz does in fact have a Democratic opponent in Texas. His name is Paul Sadler, and he used tonight’s televised debate to set a new low in classless muckraking. When he wasn’t calling Ted Cruz names, he was taking shots at Cruz’s wife and shouting down the moderators.
The evening started badly, with Sadler looking flustered and angry — a foretaste of the coming explosion.
#belodebate Sadler should stop interupting. Makes him look scared of Cruz's answers.—
Kevin Donohoo (@kevindonohoo) October 03, 2012
At 26min mark, Paul Sadler is coming across as an unhinged, desperate liberal who wants to raise taxes, #choosecruz #BeloDebate #txsen—
Michael Q Sullivan (@MQSullivan) October 03, 2012
Can Sadler just SHUT-UP when it isn't his turn!!!!!!!!!!!! #belodebate—
Holli Rook (@zoolaine) October 03, 2012
Also, Sadler really liked the word “crazy.” Not just the accusation, but also the word itself.
RT “@TXTrendyChick: Dear Paul Sadler: Stop using the word "crazy." Break out the thesaurus, please. #txsen. #belodebate—
Susan Cloud (@ProducerSusan) October 03, 2012
Cruz to Sadler, minutes into the debate: 'You've 3 times called me crazy' #mysa #hounews #belodebate—
Peggy Fikac (@pfikac) October 03, 2012
Sadler, who has called Cruz extreme, reckless and crazy, tells Cruz that he (Cruz) is "big on name-calling." #belodebate—
Ryan J. Rusak (@rjrusak) October 03, 2012
As it became clear that even the moderators weren’t impressed, Sadler supporters on Twitter resorted to accusations of media bias. We all know how much the media love Tea Party conservatism.
#BeloDebate Brad Watson is obviously a Republican shill — who allowed this biased journalist to moderate a debate??? BAD IDEA!!!!—
Lori McKinnon (@LoriInTexas) October 03, 2012
#BeloDebate @watsonwfaa This debate is clearly biased. Brad Watson was extremely angry at Sadler, and never expressed anger towards Cruz!!!—
Richard Batty (@oldfordfreak) October 03, 2012
#belodebate Seems like our moderators are playing "Ambush the Liberal". Still, a spirited debate!—
Michael Ezell (@Mike_Ezell) October 03, 2012
#BeloDebate The moderators are a joke. I have never seen a farce that was labeled a serious debate!!!—
Richard Batty (@oldfordfreak) October 03, 2012
We watched it. The moderators were aggressive, but they weren’t exactly nice to Cruz either, and by the end of it they had totally lost control anyway.
Things got truly unhinged when Sadler suddenly decided to jump on Cruz for not committing to vote for John Cornyn in a hypothetical leadership race in the Senate. Then he wouldn’t let Cruz answer and the moderators had to jump in.
Cruz: 'I know you believe you're cross examining a trial witness… Would you like an answer?' #mysa #hounews #belodebate—
Peggy Fikac (@pfikac) October 03, 2012
Sadler should really stop interrupting Cruz because he's just making himself look like even more of a jackass… #BeloDebate—
Caitlin Flores (@caitlin_flores) October 03, 2012
And it went downhill from there.
Brass-knuckles. RT @byjayroot: Sadler to Cruz: "You just make it up as you go along, Ted … Amazing." #belodebate—
Christina Gomez (@stayupearly) October 03, 2012
Sadler to Cruz re attack on guns: 'You tell so many lies it's unbelievable. Do you own a gun Ted? Do you hunt?' #mysa #hounews #belodebate—
Peggy Fikac (@pfikac) October 03, 2012
Not content to attack Cruz himself, Sadler proceeded to go after his wife too.
Aaaand Sadler attacked @TedCruz's wife. Way to keep it classy. #belodebate—
Kemberlee Kaye (@red_red_head) October 03, 2012
it was very wrong for Sadler to bring up Ted Cruz's wife. don't ever do that. #BeloDebate—
Steven Anthony (@scanthony14) October 03, 2012
Then came the final shot as Sadler closed out the night by calling Cruz a “troll.” Classy.
Troll!?! #belodebate—
Abby Livingston (@RollCallAbby) October 03, 2012
I award the debate win to the candidate who did NOT call the other candidate a "troll" or attack his wife. @Tedcruz 1 Sadler 0 #belodebate—
Kemberlee Kaye (@red_red_head) October 03, 2012
Sadler, who rebukes others for name-calling, calls Cruz a "troll." #belodebate—
Mark Davis (@MarkDavis) October 03, 2012
FOOD FIGHT!!!! #txsen #belodebate. TROLL @Sadlertx is showing his butt—
★ StaceinTexas ★ (@StaceinTexas) October 03, 2012
And so the spectacle mercifully came to an end. Sadler may not have had a chance to win anyway, but as he surveys the flaming wreckage of his campaign, he can go to bed tonight knowing that he has secured a place for himself in the annals of campaign infamy.