In the midst of tonight's CNN debate, moderators three times gave way to citizen questioners with sharp questions for the Republican candidates. And twice the Atlanta-based network went to Georgia Tech students for the queries.

The first was Josh Jacob, a student at Tech's Sam Nunn School of International Affairs, who asked about the candidates' strategy for attacking the Islamic State without threatening innocent civilians.

The second was Ashley Tofil, also a student at the Sam Nunn school, who asked Carly Fiorina if she believed it was "feasible" to cut off communications with Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

Techies gave themselves a pat on the back:

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Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D. (center) is flanked by GOP whip Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo. (left) and Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, as Thune speak to reporters at the Capitol in Washington on Tuesday, July 1, 2025. Earlier Tuesday, the Senate passed the budget reconciliation package of President Donald Trump's signature bill of big tax breaks and spending cuts. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP)

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