If there was any takeaway from the Republican presidential Twitter debate yesterday, it’s that there’s no reason for that sort of event to ever, ever take place again. The concept itself isn’t bad – candidates could promote themselves, get their ideas out to a young audience, show they have a grasp on basic technology, etc.

But answering serious questions with statements like “the federal govt kills jobs!” (@RickSantorum) or “Controlling the border and defending America are job 1 under the Constitution” (@newtgingrich), doesn’t sound presidential, it just sounds inane. “I ask 4 ur vote as I try 2 return ur voice to DC.  If elected POTUS, I will represent u w/a titanium spine no matter the cost” (@TeamBachmann) is not a compelling closing argument. Not only were the candidates unable to give meaningful responses, there was also very little interaction between them. People watching got practically nothing out of the experience.

It’s too bad, because S.E. Cupp did a good job moderating, and it would have been nice to actually hear the candidates give full answers to the questions. And it’s not that they weren’t trying, the medium just made it difficult. It was a missed opportunity for the six campaigns involved and to those watching who hoped to get something out of it.

Engaging on Twitter is important, but Americans don’t want a president who debates the same way a 14-year-old text messages. Candidates who Tweet should stick to the usual campaign announcements, brief statements, or chatter with supporters. And when they want to debate, they’ll do much better with old-fashioned TV.