Twitter – The Pulse 2016

May 17, 2016January 5, 2017

Marco Rubio Just Went Nuts on Twitter…

Wow. Marco Rubio is kind of awesome.

Last night, the former presidential candidate got on Twitter and unleashed sarcastic fury on the mainstream media.

First, he criticized two Washington Post stories that used anonymous sources:

Funny to read about unnamed “people close” to me who claim to know my thinking on future plans.They just make it up. https://t.co/jiEYMugVHz

— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) May 17, 2016

Unnamed sources “close to” often just people who want to sound like they are in the know. And reporters desperate for content just accept it

— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) May 17, 2016

Flashback to another article quoting a “longtime friend” saying I “hate” Senate. Words I have NEVER said to anyone. https://t.co/VZ9J7wznsZ

— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) May 17, 2016

Then, he criticized the “anonymous” people offering reporters those juicy quotes:

Word of advice, people often claim to know more than they really do because they enjoy status of being perceived as “in the know”.

— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) May 17, 2016

Another genius line claims that Im “a bit at sea in terms of his next step politically”. Ummmm Not really. https://t.co/jiEYMugVHz

— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) May 17, 2016

Rubio explained his future plans:

I have only said like 10000 times I will be a private citizen in January.

— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) May 17, 2016

And hinted at a future run for president:

As for future in politics, well it’s nearly impossible for someone not in office to ever become a successful candidate for President.Right?

February 2, 2016January 5, 2017

Donald Trump Explodes on Twitter About His Loss in Iowa…

Donald Trump took a 13-hour break from Twitter after Monday’s Iowa caucus results where he finished second to Senator Ted Cruz. But now he’s back and . . . oh boy:

My experience in Iowa was a great one. I started out with all of the experts saying I couldn’t do well there and ended up in 2nd place. Nice

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 2, 2016

Okay, good start Donald. Very classy.

Because I was told I could not do well in Iowa, I spent very little there – a fraction of Cruz & Rubio. Came in a strong second. Great honor

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 2, 2016

Good . . . good . . . okay time to put away the keyboard, Donald.

The media has not covered my long-shot great finish in Iowa fairly. Brought in record voters and got second highest vote total in history!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 2, 2016

No, Donald, it’s okay. You did fine. Second place is solid. Just let it go.

I will be talking about my wonderful experience in Iowa and the simultaneous unfair treatment by the media-later in New Hampshire. Big crowd

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 2, 2016

Oh no, Donald, stop . . . Donald, please . . .

I don’t believe I have been given any credit by the voters for self-funding my campaign, the only one. I will keep doing, but not worth it!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 2, 2016

Take that, Iowa! Continue Reading

September 17, 2015January 5, 2017

Carson, Fiorina Gain Most Twitter Followers During Debate

Photo credit: keiyac via Flickr (CC BY 2.0)

After the first debate, I pointed out that one of the leading indicators of Carson’s surge in the polls was the fact he won the Twitter debate: gaining 24,000 followers, or more than twice as many as runner up Sen. Marco Rubio’s 12,000 new followers.

This time the Twitter debate was a tie: Fiorina and Carson both gained 22,000 Twitter followers as the debate was broadcast.

Once again, everyone knows Carly had a great night. But what is the secret to Dr. Ben Carson’s appeal?

None of the pundits thought he had a particularly good night.

But if winning the Twitter debate is again a leading indicator, the Carson surge will continue, and Fiorina is poised to push ahead as well.

Maggie Gallagher is a senior fellow at American Principles in Action. Continue Reading