CLEVELAND—Republicans squared off for their first debate Thursday at the Quicken Loans Arena. The Daily Signal was there along with hundreds of other media outlets to cover the event. Here are some photos from behind the scenes.

Dr. Ben Carson participates in a Facebook question-and-answer forum prior to the presidential debate. (Photo: Kevin Dietsch/UPI/Newscom)

Dr. Ben Carson participates in a Facebook question-and-answer forum prior to the presidential debate. (Photo: Kevin Dietsch/UPI/Newscom)

A man seeks a ticket outside the Quicken Loans Arena to attend the Republican presidential debate. (Photo: Brian Cahn/ZUMA Press/Newscom)

A man seeks a ticket outside the Quicken Loans Arena to attend the Republican presidential debate. (Photo: Brian Cahn/ZUMA Press/Newscom)

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, is seen on a TV backstage during the first Republican presidential debate. (Photo: Kevin Dietsch/UPI/Newscom)

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, is seen on a TV backstage during the first Republican presidential debate. (Photo: Kevin Dietsch/UPI/Newscom)

TV networks broadcasted live from outside the Quicken Loans Arena. (Photo: Rob Bluey/The Daily Signal)

TV networks broadcasted live from outside the Quicken Loans Arena. (Photo: Rob Bluey/The Daily Signal)

Candidates, including former Sen. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania, use the media spin room following the first presidential debate. (Photo: Brian Cahn/ZUMA Press/Newscom)

Candidates, including former Sen. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania, use the media spin room following the first presidential debate. (Photo: Brian Cahn/ZUMA Press/Newscom)

MSNBC's Alex Wagner is asked for an autograph outside the Quicken Loans Arena, site of the first 2016 Republican presidential debate. (Photo: Brian Cahn/ZUMA Press/Newscom)

MSNBC’s Alex Wagner is asked for an autograph outside the Quicken Loans Arena, site of the first 2016 Republican presidential debate. (Photo: Brian Cahn/ZUMA Press/Newscom)

Former Hewlett Packard chief executive Carly Fiorina speaks with the media in the spin room. (Photo: Brian Cahn/ZUMA Press/Newscom)

Former Hewlett Packard chief executive Carly Fiorina speaks with the media in the spin room. (Photo: Brian Cahn/ZUMA Press/Newscom)

The Quicken Loans Arena is home to the Cleveland Cavaliers. (Photo: Rob Bluey/The Daily Signal)

The Quicken Loans Arena is home to the Cleveland Cavaliers. (Photo: Rob Bluey/The Daily Signal)

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal answers questions in the spin room at the Quicken Loans Arena. (Photo: Brian Cahn/ZUMA Press/Newscom)

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal answers questions in the spin room at the Quicken Loans Arena. (Photo: Brian Cahn/ZUMA Press/Newscom)

Fox News is partnering with Facebook and the Ohio Republican Party to host the first Republican presidential debate at the Quicken Loans Arena. (Photo: Brian Cahn/ZUMA Press/Newscom)

Fox News is partnering with Facebook and the Ohio Republican Party to host the first Republican presidential debate at the Quicken Loans Arena. (Photo: Brian Cahn/ZUMA Press/Newscom)

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., speaks to the media in the spin room. (Photo: Kevin Dietsch/UPI/Newscom)

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., speaks to the media in the spin room. (Photo: Kevin Dietsch/UPI/Newscom)

Police patrol outside the arena before the Republican debate. (Photo: Rob Bluey/The Daily Signal)

Police patrol outside the arena before the Republican debate. (Photo: Rob Bluey/The Daily Signal)

Reporters in the media filing center. (Photo: Rob Bluey/The Daily Signal)

Reporters in the media filing center. (Photo: Rob Bluey/The Daily Signal)

Former Sen. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania answers questions in the spin room following the first Republican presidential forum at Quicken Loans Arena. (Photo: David Maxwell/EPA/Newscom)

Former Sen. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania answers questions in the spin room following the first Republican presidential forum at Quicken Loans Arena. (Photo: David Maxwell/EPA/Newscom)

Advocates for gun control hold a protest outside the Quicken Loans Arena. (Photo: Brian Cahn/ZUMA Press/Newscom)

Advocates for gun control hold a protest outside the Quicken Loans Arena. (Photo: Brian Cahn/ZUMA Press/Newscom)

The American Conservative Union and Voter Gravity hosted a debate watch party at House of Blues in downtown Cleveland, which included appearances by candidates like Carly Fiorina. The Quicken Loans Arena is home to the Cleveland Cavaliers. (Photo: Rob Bluey/The Daily Signal)

The American Conservative Union and Voter Gravity hosted a debate watch party at House of Blues in downtown Cleveland, which included appearances by candidates like Carly Fiorina. The Quicken Loans Arena is home to the Cleveland Cavaliers. (Photo: Rob Bluey/The Daily Signal)

Anti-Republican protesters staged a rally before Thursday's Republican debate. (Photo: Rob Bluey/The Daily Signal)

Anti-Republican protesters staged a rally before Thursday’s Republican debate. (Photo: Rob Bluey/The Daily Signal)

The debate stage prior to the Republican presidential debate. (Photo: Kevin Dietsch/UPI/Newscom)

The debate stage prior to the Republican presidential debate. (Photo: Kevin Dietsch/UPI/Newscom)