CNN’s Jake Tapper is well respected as a cable news anchor, but his performance as moderator at Wednesday night’s GOP debate was heavily criticized — at least at first — as it looked like certain candidates were frozen out until Donald Trump said something outrageous. He didn’t waste much time, taking a shot at Rand Paul and asking why the senator was even on the stage.
Ten minutes in and zero issues being discussed. This is media picking your candidate.
— Stephen Miller (@redsteeze) September 17, 2015
Anyone want to bet that Zucker is in Jake's ear going, "Get them to go at each other!"
— michael viqueira (@mikeviqueira) September 17, 2015
https://twitter.com/lola151517/status/644306716029534208
@redsteeze this is seriously pissing me off. all Tapper is doing is asking questions about Donald Trump to the other candidates
— Betsy A Johnson (@Betsy_AJ) September 17, 2015
have we forgotten about cruz, huck, rubio.
— GregGutfeld (@greggutfeld) September 17, 2015
@greggutfeld Are they up there?
— Ryan Ledendecker (@LedStorms) September 17, 2015
@greggutfeld I blame CNN for trying too hard in being provocative by involving Trump early & often
— Jennifer Fail (@jenniferfail) September 17, 2015
https://twitter.com/HopeH_67/status/644309768853585921
@greggutfeld Crappy moderator. Questions only designed to cause squabbling and get ratings. Getting tired of Trump questions.
— Brian Jensen (@bjensencs) September 17, 2015
@greggutfeld jake tapper needs to tapper out. He is horrible.
— Michael Prentice (@portagepapamike) September 17, 2015
@greggutfeld CNN is allowing the infighting. Liberal hack Jake wanted no issues discussed just fighting
— Liberty Lady (@Libertylady64) September 17, 2015
@greggutfeld terrible job by tapper. Toss in grenade and watch the explosion.
— WV Hunter (@agwinn223) September 17, 2015
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Could every leading question NOT BE ABOUT TRUMP. #gopdebate
— jon gabriel (@exjon) September 17, 2015
@exjon NO IT CAN’T!
— Tom Meyer (@tomdmeyer) September 17, 2015
"[GOP Candidate], I have a question for you: Trump. Trump. Trump. Trump. Trump. Trump. Trump. Trump. Trump. Trump. Trump. Trump?" #GOPDebate
— jon gabriel (@exjon) September 17, 2015
https://twitter.com/RandyEBarnett/status/644308144596905984
But enough about Trump, candidates. What do you think about what Jindal said about Trump?
— John Hayward (@Doc_0) September 17, 2015
Why is Tapper asking Fiorina about something Jindal said?
— Stephen Miller (@redsteeze) September 17, 2015
https://twitter.com/MetricButtload/status/644306852100968448
@redsteeze This is ridiculous. CNN just wants fights, not debate.
— Laura McGinnis (@TxsleuthUSA) September 17, 2015
What's the point of moderators if everyone just jumps in at random times? I guess better than Tapper just asking about Trump though.
— (((AG))) (@AG_Conservative) September 17, 2015
Holy shit, @jaketapper, can you ask one question without mentioning Trump?
— (((AG))) (@AG_Conservative) September 17, 2015
ARE YOU FUCKING SERIOUS, @jaketapper? He's given 80% of the time to Trump. Hasn't even asked half the candidates a question. Unbelievable.
— (((AG))) (@AG_Conservative) September 17, 2015
@AG_Conservative @jaketapper Almost the entire left side of the stage has yet to speak….
— Davis (@DrH_MD) September 17, 2015
Once CNN managed to elicit some “oohs” from the audience as Trump took his first round of shots at his fellow candidates, the front-runner was remarkably restrained.
https://twitter.com/AnneBayefsky/status/644312825238675456
Damn, it's been 60 seconds since we've mentioned Trump. A new record! #GOPDebate
— jon gabriel (@exjon) September 17, 2015
Check it out — another of the “big leaguers” is getting a question to answer!
Jeb Bush talking… #bathroombreak
— Michelle Malkin (@michellemalkin) September 17, 2015
Even Gov. John Kasich got tired of waiting to get to the issues.
“If I was watching this at home I would turn it off”: John Kasich #CNNDebate
— Nick Schifrin (@nickschifrin) September 17, 2015
* * *
Update: Here’s where the clock stands according to NPR:
Time
Trump 7:08
Fiorna 5:54
Bush 5:38
Cruz 5:21
Kasch 4:08
Huck 3:36
Walkr 3:10
Chrstie 3:08
Paul 2:53
Cars 2:06
Rubio 1:41
ht @DomenicoNPR— PBS NewsHour (@NewsHour) September 17, 2015