Candidates flock to social media during Iowa caucuses

CEDAR RAPIDS - Florida Sen. Marco Rubio may have come in third in the Iowa caucuses Monday night, but he still took to Twitter and Facebook to thank his voters - and to ask for money.

'Thank you for a great night, Iowa! Donate now to help us continue the momentum,” his campaign tweeted, at @marcorubio.

Iowa caucuses winner Sen. Ted Cruz, @tedcruz, took a similar approach: 'Thank you Iowa! This is OUR time,” he tweeted, adding a link to a donation page. He later added: 'Tonight is a victory for the grass roots, for conservatives across Iowa and conservatives across the nation.”

With many daily lives permeated by social media, it's not uncommon for presidential candidates to reach out to voters via Facebook and Twitter, both reminding voters to caucus and to ask for funding.

Following the caucuses, candidates - or their campaign staffs - used Twitter to write some modern day thank-you notes to supporters.

'To the families and friends of this state - I am deeply grateful,” wrote Hillary Clinton, @hillaryclinton.

Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders tweeted via @berniesanders: 'We accomplished what the political establishment said was impossible. Don't underestimate us.”

Businessman Donald Trump, @realdonaldtrump, who came in second place to Texas Sen. Ted Cruz but only slightly ahead of Rubio, has been notorious for his tweets, often using the social media outlet to blast his opponents. Last week, the New York Times compiled a long list of every Twitter insult Trump has ever launched, from calling former Florida Gov. and GOP candidate Jeb Bush a 'low energy guy” to calling terrorist group ISIS 'thugs” and 'losers.”

However, Trump's Twitter account, which spans 5.96 million followers and 31,000 tweets, remained silent after Monday evening's caucus results were known.

Some used Twitter to throw in the towel.

'I am officially suspending my campaign,” wrote former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, @govmikehuckabee, who received 2 percent of support in the caucuses. 'Thank you for all your loyal support. #ImwithHucK”

And while Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, @randpaul, only received 5 percent of votes in the caucuses, he used Twitter to reassure his supporters he's staying in the race.

'We fight on! Thank you for all of your support,” Paul tweeted. One minute later: 'We are not trading our liberty for anything. Not now, not ever. Hell no.”

Former business executive Carly Fiorina's only message to Twitter, via @carlyfiorina, was that she's leaving Iowa. 'Boarding our plane. See you soon, New Hampshire,” in a nod to the next primary state.