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Twitter Was the Best Part of this Debate

Well the first debate is in the books. And I'm using the term "debate" rather loosely here. Election season brings forth probably the best reality television there is for me -- though last night was sorely lacking. Thankfully, Twitter kept it highly entertaining because if it weren't for Twitter I, along with Jim Lehrer, would have nodded off 10 minutes in.
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DENVER, CO - OCTOBER 03: Democratic presidential candidate, U.S. President Barack Obama (R) shakes hands with Republican presidential candidate, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney (L) during the Presidential Debate at the University of Denver on October 3, 2012 in Denver, Colorado. The first of four debates for the 2012 Election, three Presidential and one Vice Presidential, is moderated by PBS's Jim Lehrer and focuses on domestic issues: the economy, health care, and the role of government. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
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DENVER, CO - OCTOBER 03: Democratic presidential candidate, U.S. President Barack Obama (R) shakes hands with Republican presidential candidate, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney (L) during the Presidential Debate at the University of Denver on October 3, 2012 in Denver, Colorado. The first of four debates for the 2012 Election, three Presidential and one Vice Presidential, is moderated by PBS's Jim Lehrer and focuses on domestic issues: the economy, health care, and the role of government. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Well the first debate is in the books. And I'm using the term "debate" rather loosely here.

What the hell happened? This evening sorely needed...

1. A classic "Imma let you finish" interruption a la Kanye West.

2. Bibi's Wile E. Coyote-esque bomb chart with the all important red marker.

3. A moderator.

Election season brings forth probably the best reality television there is for me. The two conventions, followed by months of talking heads and politicos strategically downplaying their respective candidates upcoming performance at the all important pace-setting first debate.

That was the battle scar test. Which guy will suck more when the camera's red lights come on and the stage is set. Lower the expectations so when they are exceeded it can be seen as a major win.

Sure, I'd buy that if a debate actually happened. But it didn't. Right from the start each one was over talking past their allotted time, one was avoiding eye contact (not cool, Obama), and the other was well, throwing out his well-memorized zingers (not bad, Mitt) all the while the moderator looked like he decided to throw in the towel and go on strike.

But thankfully, Twitter kept it highly entertaining because if it weren't for Twitter I, along with Jim, would have nodded off 10 minutes in. Here are my favourites:

On Obama's late play of his Abraham Lincoln card:

David Mathieson @mathiematician

Abraham Lincoln was a socialist? How have history books missed this? #debates

Rudy Aguirre @Roddy2009

When things get tough u bring up a dead president #debates #presidentialdebates

On Big Bird:

Big Bird @FiredBigBird

Mitt Romney will end Burt and Ernie's right to a civil union

Big Bird @FiredBigBird

We made the @HuffingtonPost AWESOME!

No mention of women's issues:

Melissa Campbell @pluralisms

Obama wishing Michelle happy anniversary was real cute but I wish it wasn't the only time a woman was mentioned in this debate.

The moderating...or lack thereof:

Catherine Gunnells @cathmiriam

Jim? Jim Lehrer? Bueller? Buellerrrrr? #debates

Matt Kretman @mattkretman

Jim Lehrer is to this debate as replacement refs were to the NFL #debates

Scott ® Crawford @scottRcrawford

Next debate, let's get @rickygervais as moderator. #debates

Bring back Clint and the empty chair:

#WISEN Watch @WISENWatch

Clint Eastwood's empty chair doesn't seem so silly now, does it? #debates

Obama's lack of...well, being there:

Bill Maher @billmaher

i can't believe i'm saying this, but Obama looks like he DOES need a teleprompter

Bill Maher @billmaher

i must say, of all the Romneys i've seen, this Debate Romney is my favorite

So basically the evening wasn't a debate but an evening filled with a series of short speeches. Obama looked like he didn't want to be there. Romney looked like he really wanted the job. No mention of the 47 per cent. No mention of women's rights. No mention of immigration. No Baine Capital. No Cayman Islands. No nothing. But one thing is clear: The President is a pretty bad explainer.

But there was Big Bird and Obama's airplane. So all is not lost. Right?

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