Various intrepretations of the party's recent record on these issues aside, it's interesting that at the first Republican National Convention in 1856, the party's platform was "Free speech, free press, free soil, free man, Fremont and Victory," because Twitter is now arguably the global public square, where free speech and free press are by and large flourishing.
Probably not to the RNC's electoral detriment but certainly to some party elders' dissapointment, the 10 most reTweeted Tweets on the convention came from critics and comedians, as the blog Mashable informs:
When I said Rick Santorum might not tell the truth, that thing he just said about "waiving the work requirement" for welfare -- that was it. 28 Aug 12
Tonight Gov. Christie endorses Mitt Romney at the RNC. Say hi to Team Not-Quite-Last-
Here's a fun game: Add "except for the gays" to the end of most of Rick Santorum's sentences and see how often it applies! 28 Aug 12
SAFE DRINKING GAME: Drink when you see a non-white person in the #RNC audience. 28 Aug 12
Ann's portrayal of her/Mitt being impoverished in college got her in trouble in '94 Sen race. Fact is they lived off Romney stock options. 28 Aug 12
BREAKING: Entire Republican National Convention Stunned As Ann Romney Asks For Divorce onion.com/RWLack 28 Aug 12
Tonight I hope Chris Christie explains why he thinks gay marriage would hurt his state more than Jersey Shore has. #RNC2012
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Beyond those, here's what other Twitter commenters, prominent and not, had to say:
RT @mviser: Times Romney said: America (93) Obama (15) Dad (10) Family (9) Economy(4) Bain (2) Healthcare (1) Mormon (1) Immigration (0)...
"The greatest threat to Medicare is Obamacare" @PaulRyanVP -- No, it's rising healthcare costs. #GOP2012
By forcing insurance companies to cover everything, politicians ratchet up the price of healthcare. See @ThomasSowell
Ryan: Nation needs debate on healthcare, and we (#GOP2012) will win debate. Obamacare makes Obama's term disappointing.@kslnewsradio
BREAKING Exclusive: #GOP2012 surprise guest Ronald Reagan hologram will intro Romney! "Mr. Obama, tear down that health care!"
.@pambondi says health care law is not why our Founding Fathers risked their lives and their fortunes when they created nation.#GOP2012
As Republicans Preach Tonight, Remember That They Haven't Balanced a Budget in 60 Years & Have Government Healthcare.#GOP2012 #RNC #p2
Sen. Rand Paul keeps arguing that health care reform is unconstitutional, despite fact that Supreme Court says otherwise.#GOP2012
Ryan repeats Politifact lie of the year: ``Government-controlled health care.'' #GOP2012
RT.@sunshineejc: CBO: Seniors would pay most of their income forhealthcare under Ryan Medicare plan http://bit.ly/N4EftB #p2#GOP2012 #RNC
ON THE FLOOR OF #GOP2012 RIGHT NOW >> RT @mrdaveyd: Banner says: Fund Healthcare Not warfare ..My Body My Health
Oops: #RNC gift bag book touts health care mandates ‘for everyone in the country’ http://zite.to/QpCqK0 #GOP2012
14. How does Veteran health care fit into your ideas for a plan after repeal of Obamacare?#GOP2012 #VETERANS #SOV#SOT
I don't understand a love for medicare, but a hate for any other gov effort on health care. Someone explain? #gop2012
Video: Huckabee: Health care law an attack on faithhttp://bit.ly/NDBkEO #RNC2012 #GOP2012
(and he passed healthcare reform but don't tell anybody) #gop2012
.@SenRandPaul: 'Whole damn' healthcare law is 'still unconstitutional' http://buff.ly/N0BASP #GOP2012
Chris Christie should re-think his party affiliation. Pretty soon he's going to need the American people to pay for his healthcare.#GOP2012
Obama can't bring himself to call healthcare mandate a tax#GOP2012
Worth noting in healthcare debate: There are 18 Republican doctors in Congress, and 2 Democrat doctors. #gop2012 #gop #mitt2012
"my taxes are paying for your health care, do a sit up!"
