While seven Republican candidates took to the Las Vegas stage Tuesday night for what was considered by many as the most lively debate thus far, two other 2012 primary candidates took to Twitter to respond to questions and explain their absence.
Former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman decided to protest the debate taking place in Nevada because the western state is trying to push its caucus into early January. The move is treading on New Hampshire’s traditional first in the nation primary status, where Huntsman is banking all of his presidential aspirations. In fact the former governor and ambassador was pushing the hash-tag #fitn, or ‘first in the nation,’ on Twitter this week.
Shortly before the debate began, Huntsman tweeted a link to his website explaining his absence. The campaign also re-tweeted links to a live feed of a New Hampshire town hall meeting Huntsman was hosting during the Vegas debate, and it included a jab at his competitors.
“If you’re interested in tantrums and name calling, I’d direct you to #CNNDebate. Otherwise, @JonHuntsman’s Townhall,” wrote Emma Lysy.
Some however thought Huntsman’s absence from the at times argumentative debate was an advantage for candidate polling in the single digits, including a “former” president.
“I think we can all agree that Jon Huntsman won tonight’s GOP debate,” wrote Josiah Bartlet, a popular Twitter user who impersonates the former West Wing president.
Meanwhile, former New Mexico governor and oft-ignored presidential candidate Gary Johnson took to Twitter to respond to questions being asked at the CNN sponsored debate, where he once again found himself outside looking in. In a handful of tweets, Johnson talked deficit reduction, immigration, defense spending and tax reform. Many of his responses were re-tweeted dozens of times.
Johnson ended the evening with a direct strike at the other candidates.
“Who can win in 2012? How about a GOP governor elected twice in a 2-1 Democrat state? No one on the stage in LV has done that,” Johnson wrote before calling it a night.
Image credit, DonkeyHotey
