Oh my God what the hell was the point of that Graham/McCain bit
— Leon Wolf (@LeonHWolf) February 7, 2016
For once, we hope Debbie Wasserman Schultz was right, and the GOP had successfully hidden Saturday night’s debate from viewers, or viewers tuned in late thinking the Super Bowl was tonight. A mercifully brief opening skit featuring Lindsey Graham and John McCain as Muppet balcony critics (?) was followed by … something. Is this another bit?
What on earth is Carson doing omg.
— Dana Loesch (@DLoesch) February 7, 2016
https://twitter.com/BrettLoGiurato/status/696140595904036864
Carson senses a dirty trick?
— Michael Barbaro (@mikiebarb) February 7, 2016
Oh, Ben.
— Jon Ralston (@RalstonReports) February 7, 2016
https://twitter.com/johnhawkinsrwn/status/696140611708194818
Ben Carson is standing quietly just offstage as other candidates, with the exception of Donald Trump, ran past and took their places for the #GOPDebate.
Oh, Dr. Ben Carson. My goodness.
— Philip Rucker (@PhilipRucker) February 7, 2016
WHAT IS HAPPENING?!
— Mike Memoli (@mikememoli) February 7, 2016
Ben Carson already won the debate. (And the entire press file is dying.)
— Rebecca Buck (@RebeccaBuck) February 7, 2016
Omg what is Carson doing?!!
— Gabriel Sherman (@gabrielsherman) February 7, 2016
Good Lord
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) February 7, 2016
What is Ben Carson doing?
— James Pethokoukis (@JimPethokoukis) February 7, 2016
Is it some sort of bit about him running home for clean clothes?
This is awkward!
— lesley clark (@lesleyclark) February 7, 2016
What's up with carson? I think he may be out of the race
— Rich Lowry (@RichLowry) February 7, 2016
Is Ben Carson just not going to debate?! #nprdebate
— Jessica Taylor (@JessicaTaylor) February 7, 2016
Donald, they already called you! Get out there! #GOPDebate
— Katie Pavlich (@KatiePavlich) February 7, 2016
BEN CARSON WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!?!???
— Ali Rogin (@AliRogin) February 7, 2016
Incredible screw up in candidate order intros. Very very weird.
— Larry Sabato (@LarrySabato) February 7, 2016
If they can't go out in the correct order, how can they stand up to Putin?
— Jon Ralston (@RalstonReports) February 7, 2016
This is hilarious. Trump and Carson don't know what to do.
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) February 7, 2016
Can they not hear in the queue?
— lesley clark (@lesleyclark) February 7, 2016
Apparently not. The moderators would eventually clear things up: apparently the applause in the venue was so loud, Ben Carson missed his cue.
Ben Carson was introduced – must not have heard his name. Traffic jam ensued.
— Rick Klein (@rickklein) February 7, 2016
This is the cold open to SNL right? #GOPdebate #NHPrimary
— Mary Anne Marsh (@maryannemarsh) February 7, 2016
https://twitter.com/KatzOnEarth/status/696141422546833408
https://twitter.com/JGreenDC/status/696141379962060801
I hope Gilmore silently brings his own podium on stage while moderators are distracted and pretends he's been invited #GOPDebate
— Jamie Weinstein (@Jamie_Weinstein) February 7, 2016
Update: Here’s video of the full train wreck.
Here's that botched #GOPDebate introduction in all its gloryhttps://t.co/KOBE3dpeGv
— Mashable (@mashable) February 7, 2016