Save the Bird

To paraphrase a quote from a vice presidential debate many years ago: "I know Big-Bird and you sir, are no Big Bird." Of course that was what Lloyd Benson said to Dan Qualye when Qualye compared himself to John Kennedy. The question is, will either Joe Biden or Barack Obama use this line in an upcoming debate?

After all it looks like the Obama campaign is using Big Bird in their latest campaign ad. This is a result of Mitt Romney threatening to pull the feathers out of Big Bird and emptying Oscar's trash can by removing funding for PBS from the budget.

Save the Bird
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Here is something interesting to note, according to Sesameworkshop who are responsible for Sesame Street, on their blog:

I had tried to explain that Sesame Workshop as an independent, non-profit organization cannot just depend on PBS for funding, and that most of our revenues come from private contributions and from licensing fees from our characters.

So if this is true what's the problem? Why do we need to fund them through our tax dollars? Look at this from the Wall Street Journal and check out the salary of the President of PBS.  Not bad for your dime. But I digress.

So why. if even Sesame Street says they don't need the money is Barack Obama running an ad demonizing Mitt Romney for calling for cutting the funding? But then should anyone be surprised that the Obama campaign would stoop so low? Here's the bigger question though, will Sesame Street sue the Obama Campaign for using Big Bird in their commercial? Again, from the Sesameworkshop page:

Sesame Workshop is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization and we do not endorse candidates or participate in political campaigns. We have approved no campaign ads, and as is our general practice, have requested that the ad be taken down.

When will we see the "Cease and Desist?

And for the record. I do actually know Big Bird (Carol Spinney) although when he would shop in my dad's store he was in his people suit.

UPDATE:

Seems Big Bird has requested the Obama campaign to stop using him in their campaign ads. The Obamaites will take it "under advisement.