Here is Thursday night’s debate as it unfolded on RightWisconsin’s Twitter feed, recorded live from the Country Springs Hotel in Waukesha. You can read the entire story of the debate at RightWisconsin.
At the first GOP Senate Debate, the view from the press area. Photo by James Wigderson,
Annette from AFP just announced the wi-fi password, slowing down the internet for everyone. #WiSen #WiRight
— RightWisconsin (@RightWisconsin) April 27, 2018
Killing the bill that would have outlawed tailgating just got some applause here at the #Wisen debate #Wiright
— RightWisconsin (@RightWisconsin) April 27, 2018
Questions from AFP members at the #Wisen debate. #widebate #wiright
— RightWisconsin (@RightWisconsin) April 27, 2018
Definitely a pro-Vukmir crowd, judging from the reactions to the introductions. However, the crowd was admonished not to cheer or boo during the debate. #Wiright #Wisen #widebate
— RightWisconsin (@RightWisconsin) April 27, 2018
Nicholson starts by reminding the audience he is a former Democrat. Got it out right away. Says experience taught him to be a Republican. #wisen #wiright ##widebate
— RightWisconsin (@RightWisconsin) April 27, 2018
I heard this is where the cool kids were going to be. I’ll vote for the first candidate who gives periodic updates during the debate on @Bucks, @Brewers, and @packers draft.
— Cameron Sholty (@CameronSholty) April 27, 2018
The candidates prepare for the first debate of the 2018 season. @afpwi #widebate #wiright pic.twitter.com/v50jYH3Wl3
— Eric Bott (@BottAFP) April 27, 2018
Sen. Vukmir stood by @ScottWalker during act 10, she reminds the audience during the opening remarks. #Wiright #Wisen #widebate
— RightWisconsin (@RightWisconsin) April 27, 2018
Sen. Vukmir stood by @ScottWalker during act 10, she reminds the audience during the opening remarks. #Wiright #Wisen #widebate
— RightWisconsin (@RightWisconsin) April 27, 2018
Definitely a softer, kinder Vukmir talking about hope when it comes to the Right to Try. #Widebate #Wiright #Wisen
— RightWisconsin (@RightWisconsin) April 27, 2018
On tariffs, Vukmir says Trump was elected because he’s a great deal maker, mentions China’s behavior. #WiRight #WiSEn #Widebate
— RightWisconsin (@RightWisconsin) April 27, 2018
Nicholson: I’m enjoying an outsider rough up China. Talks about a thin aristocracy. But… “I believe in trade” and says trade deals were not good for Wisconsin. #WiRight #Wisen #Widebate
— RightWisconsin (@RightWisconsin) April 27, 2018
Nicholson jokingly blames the Chinese for microphone failure #WiRight #Wisen #Widebate
— RightWisconsin (@RightWisconsin) April 27, 2018
Twice so far Nicholson has made a point about “insiders” personally profiting from the status quo – only “outsiders” can fix it. #populism #WiRight #Wisen #widebate
— RightWisconsin (@RightWisconsin) April 27, 2018
Vukmir: states should be making decisions on Right to Work laws. Supports them and voted for them. “It’s a freedom issue.” #Wiright #wisen #widebate
— RightWisconsin (@RightWisconsin) April 27, 2018
Nicholson says Right to work is about choice for workers and accountability in unions. #wiright #Wisen #widebate
— RightWisconsin (@RightWisconsin) April 27, 2018
Note @LeahVukmir team tweeting at debate but @KevinMNicholson is not. #Wiright #Wisen #widebate
— RightWisconsin (@RightWisconsin) April 27, 2018
Nicholson comes out against gas tax hikes, pledges not to raise any taxes. #widebate #wiright
— Eric Bott (@BottAFP) April 27, 2018
Both @KevinMNicholson and @LeahVukmir like roads but won’t raise gas taxes. #Wiright #Wisen #widebate
— RightWisconsin (@RightWisconsin) April 27, 2018
Vukmir calls for repeal of Davis-Bacon to lower road construction costs. #Wiright #wisen #widebate
— RightWisconsin (@RightWisconsin) April 27, 2018
Nicholson says the last spending bill is about whether they were willing to push back on leadership, endorsed by Mike Lee and Ted Cruz. #Wiright #Wisen #widebate
— RightWisconsin (@RightWisconsin) April 27, 2018
Nicholson says he knows people who died for the country, so threat that GOP leaders will not help with re-election is not a threat. #Wiright #Wisen #widebate
— RightWisconsin (@RightWisconsin) April 27, 2018
Nicholson says we’ve reformed an aristocracy in this country, second time he’s used that word. #Wiright #Wisen #widebate
— RightWisconsin (@RightWisconsin) April 27, 2018
.@LeahVukmir says she would have voted against recently passed spending bill in Congress, in part because it doesn’t de-fund Planned Parenthood. She says it also needed more cuts in discretionary spending
— Scott Bauer (@sbauerAP) April 27, 2018
Nicholson asks for a minute because he was referenced by Vukmir in passing, talks about that he was a Marine, and that’s leadership.#Wiright #Wisen #Widebate
— RightWisconsin (@RightWisconsin) April 27, 2018
Vukmir says we “must first build the wall” before addressing DACA issue or comprehensive immigration reform. Warns of public health issue, drug & human trafficking. #Wiright #Wisen #widebate
— RightWisconsin (@RightWisconsin) April 27, 2018
Nicholson says Americans like immigrants but not illegal immigrants. #Wiright #wisen #widebate
— RightWisconsin (@RightWisconsin) April 27, 2018
Nicholson says build a wall first, then DACA fix as part of immigration plan. Calls Baldwin an “advocate of illegal immigration” – cheap votes and cheap labor. #Wiright #wisen #widebate
— RightWisconsin (@RightWisconsin) April 27, 2018
Both candidates say DACA fix should come after wall. #wiright #widebate
— Eric Bott (@BottAFP) April 27, 2018
“Any advocate of illegal immigration, and I’m talking about Tammy Baldwin today, or unfettered immigration … we as citizens need to push back on that.” – Kevin Nicholson #wiright #wipolitics #widebate
— MacIver Institute (@MacIverWisc) April 27, 2018
Vukmir says she supports donor privacy to organizations because people should be free to donate without harassment. Talks about John Doe experience. Says Trump’s lawyer records should not have been seized. #wiright #wisen #widebate
— RightWisconsin (@RightWisconsin) April 27, 2018
Nicholson: Don’t allow the Left to take the public space away for free speech, praises the Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty in Marquette case, criticizes corporate support of Marquette in case. #Wiright #wisen #widebate
— RightWisconsin (@RightWisconsin) April 27, 2018
Nicholson promises to campaign in Milwaukee and college campuses. #Wiright #wisen #widebate
— RightWisconsin (@RightWisconsin) April 27, 2018
And Professor McAdams has endorsed @LeahVukmir. #wiright #widebate https://t.co/D2wn0cGvt8
— Mattias Gugel (@mattiasgugel) April 27, 2018
Vukmir again supports building the wall, standing with Trump, being pro-life, the #WisconsinWay making a difference in Washington. Don’t take chances on the unknown. #Wiright #wisen #widebate
— RightWisconsin (@RightWisconsin) April 27, 2018
Nicholson acknowledges he is the “unknown” in Vukmir’s final statement. Says we have to do things differently, and audience knew it when they voted for Trump. Referred to Madison swamp to criticize Baldwin. #Wiright #Wisen #widebate
— RightWisconsin (@RightWisconsin) April 27, 2018
Nicholson blames the “bubble” and the “establishment” for loss of Supreme Court race. Says he’s winning by 20 points. #WiRight #Wisen #widebate
— RightWisconsin (@RightWisconsin) April 27, 2018
Vukmir given one minute to rebut. Appreciates Nicholson’s service, but says we know more about him as a Democrat than a Republican. Talks over the bell telling people they can count on her to be a conservative.
— RightWisconsin (@RightWisconsin) April 27, 2018
Says it’s a personal affront to hear the party maligned over the Supreme Court race, talks about when Capitol was taken over.
— RightWisconsin (@RightWisconsin) April 27, 2018
Nicholson says you can look to the battlefield of Iraq and Afghanistan to see his conservative credentials. Defending the Republic, that’s his track record. Time as a businessman and as a father.
— RightWisconsin (@RightWisconsin) April 27, 2018
Nicholson says this country will not solve its problems by sending more of the political class to Washington. #Wiright #Wisen #widebate
— RightWisconsin (@RightWisconsin) April 27, 2018
Vukmir jumps in at the end to say she respects his service. Demands apology. Chilly ending at the end of this debate.
— RightWisconsin (@RightWisconsin) April 27, 2018
Part of crowd sings happy birthday to Vukmir at end of debate. #Wiright #wisen #widebate … and we’re out of here.
— RightWisconsin (@RightWisconsin) April 27, 2018
Me: Well, I watched the live stream of the #WISEN primary debate. I’m gonna shut off the politics and watch the Bucks.
TV announcers: Here’s former President Bill Clinton with Bucks co-owner Marc Lasry…— Jessie Opoien (@jessieopie) April 27, 2018
The debate ended with @LeahVukmir asking @KevinMNicholson to apologize for inferring that she didn’t respect his military service.
“If it makes you feel better,” Nicholson said, “I feel respected.”
There was a smattering of boos from the audience, and then it was done
— Scott Bauer (@sbauerAP) April 27, 2018
Almost hit send on debate story with the headline: “Vukmir, Nicholson play nice during first Senate debate.”
Then closing statements happened. https://t.co/ly1laEzadb
— Scott Bauer (@sbauerAP) April 27, 2018
