Big Bird wants out of political debate

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WASHINGTON, Oct. 9 (UPI) -- Big Bird doesn't want to be a political pigskin -- neither, presumably, does Miss Piggy -- as "Sesame Street" producers are trying to stop an Obama campaign ad.

CBS News reported Tuesday Sesame Workshop, the non-profit that produces the public television children's program, has requested the president's campaign quit running an ad depicting his Republican challenger, Mitt Romney, as more concerned with Big Bird than Wall Street ne'er-do-wells.

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

Obama campaign spokeswoman Jen Psaki said the group's request has been taken under advisement.

"It doesn't change the fact that there's only one candidate in this race who is going to continue to fight for Big Bird and Elmo and he's riding on this plane," Psaki told reporters on Air Force One.

"There's been a strong grassroots outcry over the attacks on Big Bird."

The ad includes a clip of Big Bird saying, "It's me, Big Bird."

"Big, yellow, a menace to our economy," the ad jokingly continues. "Mitt Romney knows it's not Wall Street you have to worry about, it's Sesame Street."

"Mitt Romney, taking on our enemies no matter where they nest."

Romney sparked the Big Bird flap when, during last week's debate with Obama, he said he would cut federal funding for public broadcasting even though he loves Big Bird.

Romney responded by saying on his campaign website he's a bit puzzled that Obama has latched on to minor spending issue to attack him.

"So you have to scratch your head when the president spends the last week talking about saving Big Bird," Romney said. "I actually think we need to have a president who talks about saving the American people and saving good jobs and saving our future and also saving the family farm."