Election 2012: The Best Twitter Responses to Wednesday's Presidential Debate

Liz Raftery
Mitt Romney, Big Bird | Photo Credits: Getty Images; Children's Television Workshop

Wednesday's debate between President Barack Obama and Republican nominee Mitt Romney was the most tweeted-about event in U.S. political history, according to Twitter's government and politics team. Users sent 10.3 million debate-related tweets in 90 minutes, with commentary spiking at such memorable moments as Romney's mention of Big Bird as he discussed cutting funding to PBS ("I like Big Bird!" he said) and moderator Jim Lehrer's often unsuccessful attempts to cut the speakers off.

Obama, Romney meet in first presidential debate

Many of the tweets hinged on Lehrer's ineffectuality as moderator, even prompting the parody account @silentjimlehrer. A sample tweet from the feed? "... I ... so, I ... guys ... " Romney's confirmation that he would cut funding to PBS also prompted outcries from Twitter accounts including @FiredBigBird, @FiredElmo, @FiredOscar and @FiredGrover.

Check out some other celebrity responses to the debate below:

Al Roker (@alroker): "I hope Jim Lehrer gets the license plate of the truck that drove over him in this debate."

Bill Maher (@billmaher): "Obama made a lot of great points tonight. Unfortunately, most of them were for Romney."

Josh Malina (@JoshMalina): "Enough. They should both sing "And I Am Telling You," and we should pick one."

Michael Ian Black (@michaelianblack): ""I'm so smart!" "No I'm so smart!" — the debate"

Jeff Daniels (@Jeff_Daniels): "If any of the Moderators are unable to moderate the upcoming Presidential Debates, Will MacAvoy is available."

Dean Cain (@RealDeanCain): "My son is fast asleep. I feel much better about his future after watching the debate. #Romney2012 #SleepWellAmerica"

Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt): "Jim Lehrer: "Miss, I-I'd like to order..." Waitress: "SHUT UP NERD I'M NOT FINISHED WITH THE SPECIALS" - at a diner tomorrow"

Julia Louis-Dreyfus (@OfficialJLD): "What r u doing, Jim Lehrer? What r u doing?!"

Andy Cohen (@BravoAndy): "I feel your pain Jim Lehrer!!!!! #TeresaAndJacqueline #BarackAndMitt

Albert Brooks (@AlbertBrooks): "Next debate will be moderated by Miss Piggy before she loses her job."

Zach Braff (@zachbraff): "Romney's doing an awesome job moderating while Jim takes a light nap."

Conan O'Brien (@Conan O'Brien): "Romney prepped for tonight's debate by debating with a man whose views differ radically from his own: himself from 8 years ago."