Republican Presidential Debate on CNBC: What Hollywood Is Saying

The Republican presidential candidates faced off in another debate Wednesday night, this one taking place in Michigan and airing on CNBC.

The debate -- the ninth for the GOP candidates in the past six months -- included Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann, businessman Herman Cain, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman, Texas Rep. Ron Paul, Texas Gov. Rick Perry, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum.

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The eight candidates answered questions mostly about the economy -- the scheduled topic -- although moderators Maria Bartiromo and John Harwood were booed when they asked Cain questions about "character issues." Cain, former CEO of Godfather's Pizza, is the subject of sexual harassment allegations brought forth by four women in the past week.

Cain also sparked headlines when he called former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi "Princess Nancy," saying she blocked any effort when she was speaker to repeal Democrats' health care overhaul, legislation she helped marshal through.

The event also was noteworthy for a gaffe made by Perry, who struggled to remember which three government agencies he would cut as part of his tax plan.

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"It's three agencies of government when I get there that are gone: Commerce, Education and -- the, uh -- what's the third one there? Let's see ..." Perry said.

"Commerce, Education, and -- uh. The, uh ..."

Romney chimed in. "EPA?"

"EPA! There you go," Perry said with a laugh, trying once again to answer: "I would do away with Education. The, uh, Commerce. And let's see. I can't. The third one, I can't."

About 10 minutes later, he finally remembered while answering a different question: "And by the way, that was the Department of Energy I was reaching for."

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Several people in Hollywood hit Twitter to react to the candidates' comments in real time with a series of weets, with many making jokes about the candidates and their remarks. Among them:

The Talk co-host Aisha Tyler:
-- Luckily for Cain there's no way he get into more trouble. No time to creep out the ladies when you're having a Repub debate every 1.67 days.
-- Luckily if I miss this debate, there'll be one tomorrow at lunchtime. Do these people not have jobs?
-- Think I am going to blow off the CNBC Repub debate. I already have a headache.

Joy Behar, co-host of The View and The Joy Behar Show:
-- Huntsman is the only one on the Republican side qualified to run for president. Maybe that's why he only has 1 pct. Of the vote.
-- Does anyone understand a word Perry says?
-- [Referring to Cain's 999 plan] I wonder if nine nine nine more women will come out soon.
-- [After Cain called former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi "Princess Nancy"]: Note to Cain:hands off Princess Nancy
--That curl on Mitt's forehead is turning me on. Move over, Elvis
-- [After the moderators' references to several candidates' flat tax plans]: The only thing that's flat is Rick Perry's brain waves
-- Doesn't Newt look like Chuckie?
-- OMG Perry is having brain farts

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Actor Steven Weber (Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, Wings):
-- Rick Perry'd better perform CPR on a choking Rick Santorum, which turns into a deep soul kiss, if he wants to get back to #1.
-- Rick Perry: "And number three---THERE IS NO THIRD THING!" #airpull
-- Newt's windbaggery will actually provide 1/3 of the nation's energy for 2 of his 4 years of president. #imhighonwhiteout
-- Dibs on photos of Rick Perry weeping like an 11 year old beauty contest loser!!!
-- I'm much whiter for watching the GOP debate and I hope you are, too.