Sesame Street wants Big Bird out of Obama ad
This is one of those days when you suspect that the 2012 presidential campaign is working off a script generated by a room of underpaid and, perhaps, under-performing gag writers. From the Associated Press:
NEW YORK — President Barack Obama deployed Big Bird in a new campaign ad Tuesday mocking Mitt Romney’s vow to end federal funding for public broadcasting. Romney’s campaign dismissed it as an example of Obama being small-minded while the foundation behind Big Bird’s program, “Sesame Street,” asked that the ad be taken down.
The satirical spot, set to air on national broadcast and cable TV stations, shows images of convicted financiers, including Bernie Madoff and Enron’s Ken Lay, and suggests Romney thinks Big Bird is behind their crimes.
“Only one man has the guts to speak his name,” the ad says.
Romney said in last week’s nationally televised debate with Obama that he liked Big Bird but would, if elected, end federal subsidies for the Public Broadcasting Service to help balance the budget. PBS airs “Sesame Street.”
Obama seized on that comment the day after the debate and has used it every day since to poke at Romney.
“He’ll get rid of regulations on Wall Street, but he’s going to crack down on Sesame Street. Thank goodness somebody is finally cracking down on Big Bird,” Obama joked at a campaign rally in Madison, Wis., the day after the debate, as his audience roared with laughter. “Who knew that he was responsible for all these deficits? Elmo has got to watch out.”
But Sesame Workshop, which supports “Sesame Street,” didn’t see it as a laughing matter.
“Sesame Workshop is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization and we do not endorse candidates or participate in political campaigns,” the organization said in a terse, two-sentence statement. “We have approved no campaign ads and, as is our general practice, have requested that the ad be taken down.”
Obama campaign spokesman Ben LaBolt said the campaign was reviewing Sesame Workshop’s concerns.
Romney’s campaign countered that the ad shows Obama is focusing on inconsequential matters rather than the urgent issues voters care about, like the economy and unemployment.
“Right now you’ve got 23 million Americans struggling to find work,” spokesman Kevin Madden told reporters Tuesday. “I just find it troubling that the president’s message, the president’s focus 28 days from Election Day, is Big Bird.”
PBS receives a portion of its funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which receives an annual appropriation from Congress. In 2012, CPB received $445 million in federal funding. PBS said in a news release after last week’s presidential debate that public broadcasting receives about one one-hundredth of 1 percent of the federal budget.
- By Jim Galloway, Political Insider
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124 comments Add your comment
Retired Soldier
October 9th, 2012
5:09 pm
I’m glad Obama wants to continue funding Big Bird. I would hate for that money to go for less needy reasons like additional security in Libya that was turned down. That goodness the President can seperate the wheat from the chaff.
TMAN
October 9th, 2012
5:16 pm
@ Liberal
And what EXACTLY did Bush do for America? Nothing but put us the people of the US in a war that was not needed. Weapons of mass destruction, still looking and can’t find them. OH, but wait I guess that you are fine with that, but what about all of the lives that were lost for no reason at all!
TMAN
October 9th, 2012
5:23 pm
@LydiasDad
Those of us who are voting for Obama are not stupid but smart. What is stupid is to put a man in office who want to offshore all jobs. He does not care about US jobs because he has millions, but I guess you have millions as well if you are voting for Romney.
Retired Soldier
October 9th, 2012
5:23 pm
TMAN-
FLASH Bush isn’t president, ya’ll keep forgetting that. I don’t defend Bush, he was a poor president, but Obama is worse.
The Iraq war? You mean the one that H. Clinton and many other democrats voted for? Where was the congressional vote for Libya? Why are we still in Afghanistan, you know the good war? Why isn’t Obama paying for his wars? Trillion dollar deficits as far as the eye can see.
td
October 9th, 2012
5:23 pm
Retired Soldier
October 9th, 2012
5:09 pm
Excellent comment. How much security would $440 million per year buy?
Retired Soldier
October 9th, 2012
5:25 pm
Tman-
Let me ask you a stupid question, When did Romney say he wants all jobs to go overseas? Absurd. Did you vote for Kerry? He has his millions too. Do you like H. Clinton? She has her offshore accounts. Bash her for a while.
Retired Soldier
October 9th, 2012
5:25 pm
Plenty td
nobama
October 9th, 2012
5:26 pm
Obama is incapable of cutting the budget, including Big Bird. Big Bird should either make it on another network by running ads like any other show or get off the air. The government should not be in the television business. It is a waste of tax payers money. We need a President with the nerve to do some things that may be unpopular but necessary – like firing Big Bird.
Obama is the worst President since Jimmy Carter. We need change all right – by getting him out of office.
Retired Soldier
October 9th, 2012
5:28 pm
nobama-
I almost agree with all you have said. One exception, Obama is worse than Cater. How sad.
Get It Right
October 9th, 2012
5:33 pm
Hope and Change….He sounds just like he did four years ago. Saying exactly the same thing, just wearing a different suit. Sounds just like a lawyer. Oh wait, that’s right, a great speaker, when he has a Teleprompter putting words in his mouth.
TMAN
October 9th, 2012
5:34 pm
Retired Soldier
You are right, you asked a STUPID Question! Get a Life.
TMAN
October 9th, 2012
5:36 pm
Retired Soldier
If you are the expert at who is and was great for the country, why not you use that so call information that you have and YOU run for office. No you hide behind an email address and complain.
Retired Soldier
October 9th, 2012
5:40 pm
Tman-
And what are you doing? I am quite secure in who I am and what I have done. Many have a better resume than me, but I assure you my resume would be far better than yours.
Retired Soldier
October 9th, 2012
5:42 pm
Tman-
It must not have been a stupid question, you couldn’t answer it.
GTMBA'er
October 9th, 2012
5:46 pm
So obvious where the Obama bashers are getting their political/news coverage from….
This is becoming eerily similar to the WMD propaganda perpetrated during the wonderful Bush years.
Retired Soldier
October 9th, 2012
5:49 pm
GTMBA’er/Tman-
When you can’t refute the arguement, attack the person. Typical, just like Obama, typical and sad.
GTMBA'er
October 9th, 2012
5:52 pm
Retired Soldier-
I actually was not referring to your comments but OBVIOUSLY u are sensitive to my comment. Thus, validating my point.
And the real irony is that you are typical smh
Bills
October 9th, 2012
5:55 pm
“We need a president with the nerve to do some things that may be unpopular but necessary.”
Like Obamacare. Oops, sorry, forgot that a majority of people like it.
And obama is the worst president since carter. Except for the two bushes and reagan
Retired Soldier
October 9th, 2012
5:55 pm
I am anything but typical, But thanks for the compliment. I challenge you to watch Fox one hour a nite as I watch MSNBC for an hour a day. How about it?
GTMBA'er
October 9th, 2012
6:02 pm
I listen to Fox News everyday on my way to school…I happen to like The Five. One of my favorites talk radio shows.
I also watch Bill O’Reilly and bits and peices of Hannity. My views are well rounded and well informed.
Time for school…have a great evening
VEXORG
October 9th, 2012
6:03 pm
Retired Soldier is on target. James Earl Carter was the WORST President of the 20th Century. FACTS: 1) Unemployment average: 16.26% 2) Inflation 14.8% 3) Interest Rates 18% 4) U.S. Military Power – SLASHED. and a slap in the face to all who served – Amnesty for the cowards that ran off to Canada to avoid serving their country. 5) U.S. Foreign Policy – one word: IRAN, and the appeasement of tyrants. 6) Continues to meddle and pontificate what our foreign policy should be. 7) Gave away the Panana Canal…an engineering marvel that cost thousands of lives and a symbol of national pride because WE succeeded where others failed.
And all of that makes a “great president”??? Only a moron would believe such a thing!
TMAN, I suggest you remove your head out of where you sit, and get some oxygen to your brain. And quit drinking the democrat kool-aid that distorts FACT and replaces it with emotional rhetoric.
WhatI'mSaying
October 9th, 2012
6:08 pm
When they got rid of Roosevelt Franklin on Sesame Street, they killed my childhood. I loved him, I miss him and always had the best musical accompaniment.
cc
October 9th, 2012
6:22 pm
“I listen to Fox News everyday on my way to school…I happen to like The Five. One of my favorites talk radio shows.”
Congratulations on going to school! When will you be graduating . . . from middle school?
BJS
October 9th, 2012
6:34 pm
Obama is “all hat no saddle” if there ever was one, All one liners. What a “cool guy” we have for prez. Can’t think on his feet when confronted with facts but he can bounce and glide and sound like a cool guy preacher when he needs to. Good grief. Like I said, “all hat no saddle” . Really sad.
3leggedchickenchaser
October 9th, 2012
6:36 pm
All the talk about balancing a budget is moot! 1. Harry Reid, Nancy P and the gang of nitwits haven’t passed a budget in 1200+ days! Why would they start now? Which brings me to point 2. Obama doesn’t believe in a budget. Why would you care about spending when you are using that tactic to “even the playing field” with the rest of the world? Obama is not one of us! He is from a 3rd world country and was raised to HATE white people and America! Some people will vote for him because he’s “black” (TMan) and the moochers will vote for him because of what they get. One thing is certain, another 4 years of his terrorism on America will be the end of capitalism and free markets! Get ready to be a broke 3rd world country he can be proud of!! Remember: a vote for anyone other than Romney is a vote for the worst President in history!
cc
October 9th, 2012
6:55 pm
3leggedchickenchaser:
Can’t argue with a single point re your post.
SKE
October 9th, 2012
7:02 pm
@3leggedchickenchaser….I guess I voted for the worst President in History. Cause he’s already got my vote! I would not have for a moment ever consider voting for anyone that is going to repeal Romney/Obama/Affordable Health Care!
If you followed the procedings of the Congress, the correct language is that no budget was agreed upon by the PREZ. I applaud him for that move. Republicans are OBSTRUCTIONALIST! They have even said as much. Mitch McConnel’s words “We are going to make sure that President Obama is a one term President’! Not Going to Happen though! Thanks to the folks that can see through the Republican hogwash! Obama 2012, Senate 57!
MiltonMan
October 9th, 2012
7:05 pm
Too bad for Obama. Big Bird might just be the most intelligent entity supporting him.
Obama is dishonest
October 9th, 2012
7:07 pm
Real Topic: Should we borrow money from China to give government grants to PBS?
Consider the fact that we are already more than $16 Trillion dollars in debt………..now I ask again should we borrow money from China to give government grants to PBS???
The obvious answer is NO! Obama needs to grow up and consider what is best for America!
double
October 9th, 2012
7:14 pm
Get ready to be a broke third world country.We been broke since Clinton left a surplus,for Georgie Bush to squander.His terrorism on America will be the end of capitalism and free markets.I suppose magic underwear will solve all this.
RW
October 9th, 2012
7:19 pm
I love cable tv, but we couldn’t afford it, so I got rid of it. Otherwise we would end up over budget and more in debt. Sometimes the choices are hard, but it has to be done. I could keep my cable TV, and I would really love it, but I would stack up the debt and at some point, I have to pay it off.
Chzwiz
October 9th, 2012
7:26 pm
@BigBird, regarding your application at chik-fil-a. Please reconsider. I hear they do not like gay birds. Over here at KFC we like them big and fat. With a little seasoning you could make it to the top of the menu.
Chzwiz
October 9th, 2012
7:31 pm
@nobama, re: NOMOBO, I remember Jiminy Carter. I was trying to get a job when he was president. He was, and still is, the worst president this nation has ever suffered through.
I dropped my fried twinkie
October 9th, 2012
7:37 pm
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=327268074039037&set=a.101203633312150.1090.101173139981866&type=1&theater
I dropped my fried twinkie
October 9th, 2012
7:42 pm
Michael Ledeen writes, “In 1980, the symbol of a failed president was a big rabbit. Now, it’s a big bird.” In the last few days, Obama has mentioned Big Bird eight times, and Elmo five — and Libya not at all. Today Sesame Street asked the Obama campaign to take down their current ad featuring Big Bird.
Ledeen says “Then, as now, the media were overwhelmingly behind the Democratic incumbent, but the real world overwhelmed them. Then, it was American hostages in Iran. Now, it is American dead in Libya.
“Then, it was a mob of Iranian ’students’ shrieking ‘death to America’ in Tehran and taking over the U.S. embassy. Now, it is jihadi killers in Benghazi gunning down our ambassador and three soldiers, and burning the consulate.”
I dropped my fried twinkie
October 9th, 2012
7:43 pm
This really is a symbol of the Obama administration. PBS for-profit division makes hundreds upon hundreds of millions of dollars each year and they aren’t even willing to cut government support for that. Sesame Street alone makes $50 million per year in merchandising revenue. PBS has made upwards of $500 million from the Barney franchise. Just the profit from these two franchises is more than many network’s operating budgets. If they can’t cut government money going to an entity that doesn’t need it and has to use accounting tricks to claim to be for-profit to keep getting it, then they won’t cut expenses for anything.
I dropped my fried twinkie
October 9th, 2012
7:45 pm
Obama, not upset about the attack on our embassy in Libya, or the loss of life in Libya, doesn’t care about loss of life from “fast and furious” and the loss of our border patrol agent. Obama wants to attack Romney for saying one of his budget cutting deals is to stop funding BIG BIRD. Obama chooses to force Obamacare on us and to attack our Christian faith while he pays homage to the prophet. Are U awake yet?
When you can’t run on your record, quote from obama, you make the election about small things! Let’s think about Big Bird and not about the crisis in the Middle East and the obama’s administration’s cover up! They denied security protection to the Ambassador in Libya, but Valerie Jarret had protection in Martha’s vineyard.
Wilbur
October 9th, 2012
7:54 pm
Public funding does not determine the future of Big Bird. Pretending otherwise is just foolish.
Not that lying or being foolish would be problems for Obama. He has spent four years working pretty hard at both.
I dropped my fried twinkie
October 9th, 2012
7:56 pm
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=413730578681113&set=a.330374477016724.83603.311190048935167&type=1&theater
charlene
October 9th, 2012
7:57 pm
Honestly, I’m not looking forward to casting my ballot in November. It’s too sad. I don’t like either of the candidates and this is truly, to me, a “lesser of the two evils” contest. I think it is important to make a stand either way, but I’m not happy with either candidate. I think Obama is a very genuinely nice person, who seems to love his wife and family, but I cannot vote for him. Romney isn’t really much better either, but doesn’t zealously support causes I can’t, like Obama does.
Either way, no candidate is on the ballot I can relate to. I wish it were the case but it isn’t. I’ll still be voting but this is the first time I can say I’m disappointed no matter which way the turnout.
td
October 9th, 2012
8:04 pm
Here is something for all you libs to think about when you go to the ballot box.
“Now, the economy is falling apart and people like me who made all the right decisions and invested in themselves are being forced to bail out all the people who didn’t. The people that overspent their paychecks suddenly feel entitled to the same luxuries that I earned and sacrificed 42 years of my life for. Yes, business ownership has its benefits, but the price I’ve paid is steep and not without wounds. Unfortunately, the costs of running a business have gotten out of control, and let me tell you why: We are being taxed to death and the government thinks we don’t pay enough. We pay state taxes, federal taxes, property taxes, sales and use taxes, payroll taxes, workers compensation taxes and unemployment taxes. I even have to hire an entire department to manage all these taxes. The question I have is this: Who is really stimulating the economy? Is it the Government that wants to take money from those who have earned it and give it to those who have not, or is it people like me who built a company out of his garage and directly employs over 7000 people and hosts over 3 million people per year with a great vacation?
Obviously, our present government believes that taking my money is the right economic stimulus for this country. The fact is, if I deducted 50% of your paycheck you’d quit and you wouldn’t work here. I mean, why should you? Who wants to get rewarded only 50% of their hard work? Well, that’s what happens to me. [...]”
“Business is at the heart of America and always has been. To restart it, you must stimulate business, not kill it. However, the power brokers in Washington believe redistributing wealth is the essential driver of the American economic engine. Nothing could be further from the truth and this is the type of change they want.
So where am I going with all this? It’s quite simple. If any new taxes are levied on me, or my company, as our current President plans, I will have no choice but to reduce the size of this company. Rather than grow this company I will be forced to cut back. This means fewer jobs, less benefits and certainly less opportunity for everyone.
So, when you make your decision to vote, ask yourself, which candidate understands the economics of business ownership and who doesn’t? Whose policies will endanger your job? Answer those questions and you should know who might be the one capable of protecting and saving your job. While the media wants to tell you to believe the “1 percenters” are bad, I’m telling you they are not. They create most of the jobs. If you lose your job, it won’t be at the hands of the “1%”; it will be at the hands of a political hurricane that swept through this country.
You see, I can no longer support a system that penalizes the productive and gives to the unproductive. My motivation to work and to provide jobs will be destroyed, and with it, so will your opportunities. If that happens, you can find me in the Caribbean sitting on the beach, under a palm tree, retired, and with no employees to worry about.
Signed, your boss,
David Siegel
Read more: http://newsbusters.org/blogs/noel-sheppard/2012/10/09/ceo-threatens-fire-employees-if-obama-reelected-and-raises-taxes#ixzz28qkXKPZ8
DawgNole
October 9th, 2012
8:27 pm
charlene
October 9th, 2012
7:57 pm
Either way, no candidate is on the ballot I can relate to. I wish it were the case but it isn’t. I’ll still be voting but this is the first time I can say I’m disappointed no matter which way the turnout.
_________________
I wish it were the case that this is the first time I can say I’m disappointed no matter which way the turnout. But it’s not the first time at all–and it very likely won’t be the last.
Buckhead Boy
October 9th, 2012
8:31 pm
China holds eight percent of “Treasuries”. However, thirty-six percent are held by Americans like me, almost as much again by you and me (held by Social Security, federal pension and other trust funds), and another eight percent by our state and local governments. Foregoing any expenditure or cutting the debt by eight percent or any percentage will not curtail China from buying the securities available, just result in lowering the yield for three-fourths of the debt holders, who are we the people. Hence, a silly retort to an assinine statement seems entirely appropriate to me.
double
October 9th, 2012
8:38 pm
Your boss telling his employees how to vote,so he can put more of low tax rate money in his pocket.His employees pay higher fed tax rate than he does.For sure tax wise,for the rich magic underware will be their man.
I dropped my fried twinkie
October 9th, 2012
9:07 pm
Wow and all you LIBERALS think only white republicans are Racists. I guess black liberals are no different….TRUTH…. http://shine.yahoo.com/work-money/stacey-dash-twitter-backlash-voicing-support-romney-170600904.html?fb_action_ids=464825533558413&fb_action_types=og.recommends&fb_source=other_multiline&action_object_map=%7B%22464825533558413%22%3A453091641396239%7D&action_type_map=%7B%22464825533558413%22%3A%22og.recommends%22%7D&action_ref_map=%5B%5D&code=AQCsKdPHvKeN8NvLsmKx7WhRdXN2GEQVMIr6RJRQ_W9VWVALwA8HrHNtvdCI4jhfkPtu-GVnTXOLfIe4cJpeXeBF2SrOUtnAY2eTJ13xApWzdq0RmoCZwMuUiAgfX3Vn_R2-Gmcj3ynEkEpQozgsqkwACjNh23aciNATiXPISK1F2m-t5kjV7F_YDaL-uBGd6upuP6PlGmv7aae7Zy_NTtaS#_=_
Catherine
October 9th, 2012
9:08 pm
I’m an Independent, believe in pro-choice and will be voting for Romney because Obama has failed at his job. Whether I’m gay or need an abortion or contraception, these matters are not my main concern. What is my main concern is if I have no job and gas prices are out of control. I don’t believe in making excuses for myself or anyone else when a job is accepted; if you can’t do it then you quit.
If you enter a debate and you lose then you admit it and try harder next time. You do not act in an undignified manner which is unbecoming of a sitting president by being a sore loser and calling your opponent names the next day while also sending out your tag team to do the same-that’s low class trash business and I cannot believe Obama did it….
It’s good to have opposing beliefs and opinions; our country has been this way since day 1. Stop the name calling and maligning and TRYING to paint one side all one way, it’s not true. When a Hollywood actress lets people know (as have HUNDREDS of actors and actresses have) she is voting Republican she is verbally abused and called racist names by mostly black people and not one Hollywood person has come to her defense-what a disgrace and she’ll probably be blacklisted because she had the nerve to state she is not a Democrat. I’m disgusted and Romney is not making abortion illegal you;re falling for the BS.
Pam Rutherford
October 9th, 2012
9:11 pm
This just shows that taking a non issue and trying to cover up his poor record and the real issues, is how this campaign is materializing for Obama. Try to disguise the issues and hope people are too dumb to notice.
Chuck Hendrix
October 9th, 2012
9:26 pm
“Romney’s campaign countered that the ad shows Obama is focusing on inconsequential matters rather than the urgent issues voters care about, like the economy and unemployment.” Very interesting comment from a Republican. I wonder if he recalls any of the following, Obama was not born in the United States, Obama is a Muslim, Obama is a Socialist, Obama is a Marxist, all claims by Republicans,, those were substantive matters? I would suggest the inconsequential matters spew from the mouths of Republicans like vomit from a drunks mouth on a daily basis.
Chuck Hendrix
October 9th, 2012
9:30 pm
@Pam Rutherford.. Your comment shows you have never researched anything past tuning in to Fox. As to dumb….need I say more? Anyone that believes something simply because somebody with an (R) in front of their name says it without checking the validity is not exactly a Rocket Scientist.
Chuck Hendrix
October 9th, 2012
9:32 pm
@Catherine.. you are no independent. Who do you think you are kidding yourself? Do you recall Obama being called a liar while addressing Congress? Why no mention of it? Because it was a Republican? Get real . Democrats and Independents are not that stupid.