While many pundits gave Hillary Clinton the win in the first Democratic debate in Las Vegas, the campaign of Sen. Bernie Sanders was quick to point out that online, the Vermont senator caught fire and upstaged the former Secretary of State.
“Facebook said Sanders had the ‘biggest social moment’ of the debate,” campaign spokesman Michael Briggs said in a statement Tuesday. “Both said online interest peaked when Sanders said relentless news media focus on former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s emails were a distraction from more important issues.”
Briggs also said the Sanders campaign website had seen its highest traffic day ever, and that more than $1.3 million was raised in the first four hours after the debate began.
“There was about $100,000 in the five minutes after the debate ended,” Briggs said. “At the peak, there were 10.25 contributions per second.”
Following are highlights of the online activity surrounding Bernie during and after the debate:
Sanders was the most popular candidate, according to Twitter and Google analytics.
Most mentioned candidates on Twitter, w/ share of #DemDebate conversation: Sanders – 41% Clinton – 39% Webb – 9% O’Malley – 6% Chafee – 5%
— Twitter Government (@gov) October 14, 2015
Final: @BernieSanders gained the most Twitter followers (+35,163) during #DemDebate — almost 3x Clinton. pic.twitter.com/WqPaDHu2Nq
— Dan Diamond (@ddiamond) October 14, 2015
Sanders’ campaign account also had the most popular tweet of the night, one quoting the Senator’s remarks about the Clinton email scandal:
Most Retweeted candidate Tweet of #DemDebate: https://t.co/QmZaiwlwPl
— Twitter Government (@gov) October 14, 2015
Google Analytics of Debate
A number of high-profile personalities, from activists to actors, tweeted comments about the senator on Tuesday:
Mark Ruffalo
At lest this debate is actually about the problems American’s are facing. We can thank @BernieSanders for that. He started it.
— Mark Ruffalo (@MarkRuffalo) October 14, 2015
Who is paying for Bernie’s Campaign. The people of the USA not the 156 richest families in the USA. #DebateWithBernie
— Mark Ruffalo (@MarkRuffalo) October 14, 2015
Bette Midler
STANDING O FOR @SenSanders !!!
— Bette Midler (@BetteMidler) October 14, 2015
Rapper Killer Mike
He Shoots. He Scores! Bernie went in
— Killer Mike (@KillerMike) October 14, 2015
Racial justice activist DeRay Mckesson
Sanders highlighting the need to combat institutional racism and the broken criminal justice was on point. #DemDebate
— deray mckesson (@deray) October 14, 2015
‘Family Guy’ creator Seth MacFarlane
Yes, I know we Hollywood liberals can be self-righteous, insufferable meatheads, but come on– Bernie Sanders would make an A+ president.
— Seth MacFarlane (@SethMacFarlane) October 13, 2015
MacFarlane also stumped for Sanders in California on Wednesday
Dan Pfeiffer, former adviser to President Barack Obama
Clinton had a great night, but Sanders winning the focus group and online polls, but losing the pundits is reminiscent of Obama in 07-08
— Dan Pfeiffer (@danpfeiffer) October 14, 2015
‘Meet the Press’ host Chuck Todd
Sanders might have an awkward debating style but he isn’t doing anything to hurt himself with his base. #NBC2016
— Chuck Todd (@chucktodd) October 14, 2015
Liberal documentarian Michael Moore
Quote of the Night — Sanders: “Congress doesn’t regulate Wall Street, Wall Street regulates Congress.” Huge applause. #DemDebate
— Michael Moore (@MMFlint) October 14, 2015
Donald Trump
Sanders said only black lives matter – wow! Hillary did not answer question!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 14, 2015
In Vermont, the most active political presence around the debate came from Democratic gubernatorial candidate Matt Dunne, who live-tweeted the event
“Congress doesn’t regulate Wall Street, Wall Street regulates Congress.” Boom. #BernieWatch #DemDebate
— Matt Dunne for VT (@mattdunnevt) October 14, 2015
Income inequality question: The Bernie softball. And he hit it hard. #BernieWatch #DemDebate
— Matt Dunne for VT (@mattdunnevt) October 14, 2015
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Sue Minter spoke at UVM Democrats debate party
Sue addressing the crowd at @UVMDemocrats #DemDebate Watch Party! A great turnout! #VTpoli #Vote pic.twitter.com/17IxR7LcvA
— Sue Minter (@SueMinterVT) October 14, 2015
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Shap Smith tweeted once about the debate, too
Proud to be part of the party with bright candidates who put real ideas on the table. Great to finally hear about the issues #DemDebate
— Shap Smith (@ShapSmith) October 14, 2015
