GOP Debate: That Awkward Moment When Ben Carson Causes A Traffic Jam, Introductions Confuses Doctor
It’s not every day that you witness a traffic jam as the Republican candidates are about ready to walk out to take their place at their podiums. That is exactly what happened on Saturday night as the start of the GOP debate in New Hampshire as the men were being introduced. Ben Carson seemed to get a little confused when his name was called.
Jeb Bush, Donald Trump, Ben Carson, Marc Rubio, Chris Christie, Ted Cruz, and John Kasich were all backstage ready for their name to be called as their cue to go out to face the music. That was supposed to be the easy part of the GOP debate. However, things got quite complicated really quick, as reported by USA Today.
First up was New Jersey Governor Chris Christie. As his name was called he came strolling out like normal. Right behind him was Dr. Ben Carson. His name was clearly called by the moderators and viewers could see him in the walkway, but then he suddenly stopped and stood there. In fact, he just continued to stand there awkwardly. The camera even zoomed in on him and he politely smiled for America.
Ben Carson doesn't know what to do pic.twitter.com/i1X6y1h3qk
— HuffPost (@HuffPost) February 7, 2016
You could then see a man behind the curtain trying to shoo him out on the stage and then Carson suddenly started walking out, that is until he heard GOP moderator David Muir call out Senator Ted Cruz’s name. The doctor then stopped in his tracks and motioned for Cruz to go ahead. Then came that awkward pose once again while Ben waited in the wings, looking like he was wondering when his name would be called.
He looks back and there is the poor guy once again trying to shoo him out to his podium. Well, Dr. Carson wasn’t having any of that as it looked like he was shaking his head no. The man decided to leave him alone to do what he wanted at that point. Things were about to get even more awkward.
Out comes Donald Trump walking very, very slowly. The billionaire for some reason stops right beside his buddy, Ben Carson. By that point, Marco Rubio’s name had been called and now there were three men on the blue carpet. However, Rubio took off to the GOP stage while Trump and Carson just stood there.
Next up on the GOP debate list was Jeb Bush. He came out, took a look at the two awkward men just standing there and looked back at the guy behind the curtain, and was a little confused himself. He didn’t seem to know whether to push his way past them or run the other way.
As soon as his name was called, Jeb high-tailed his way past them, giving Donald a pat on his arm and the most hilarious look on his face as he passed by them. That was probably the classic moment of the night.
The GOP moderators got a little out of sync themselves by then as well. With three podiums empty, they announced “Ladies and gentlemen, the Republican candidates.” Finally, David Muir realized who was missing and told Ben Carson to please come out on stage. He did what he was told, maybe trying to save face. However, after Trump was told to also come out, he just stood there waiting for — something. Oh, and who is that other man behind the Donald? It was the forgotten Ohio governor, John Kasich. But first, the moderators had to do Donald’s “formal” introduction or he may have stood on that exact spot on the walkway all night.
Finally all men were in place and ready to go to get to the serious side of the GOP debate. The moderators shrugged it all off as saying that the men couldn’t hear their names because of the loud applause.
It was total chaos for a few moments, but then things settled down and the debate began with the usual mud-slinging and attacks on each other. This may have been the most memorable of all the Republican debates. Granted, it did look like Ben Carson was not able to hear his name, but social media sure has had some fun with the whole thing. It certainly lightened up the moment.
[Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images]
