Big Bird thrust into political spotlight

Big Bird has never been so hot.

"Saturday Night Live," Jimmy Fallon, Piers Morgan, the "Today" show and "Good Morning America" all asked for appearances from the "Sesame Street" character Thursday after he was unexpectedly thrust into the presidential campaign by Mitt Romney.

Sesame Workshop says the giant yellow Muppet is declining all appearances.

During Wednesday's debate with President Barack Obama, GOP nominee Romney said that while "I love Big Bird," federal funding to public broadcasting should end.

Obama brought up his opponent's plans for Big Bird during a campaign stop Thursday in Madison, Wis.

"I just want to make sure I've got this straight: He'll get rid of regulations on Wall Street, but he's going to crack down on 'Sesame Street,' " Obama said of Romney. "Thank goodness somebody's finally cracking down on Big Bird. Who knew that he was responsible for all these deficits? Elmo's got to watch out."

PBS chief Paula Kerger said she "just about fell off the sofa" when the issue came up during the debate. She said that if the subsidy goes, so will some PBS stations.

Federal funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting totals $450 million this year, accounting for about 15 percent of its budget, she said.

Considering Romney stressed the importance of education, she said she hopes he realizes the extent of educational programming that PBS offers. Four out of five children under age 5 watch public television, she said.

Sesame Workshop, the producer of "Sesame Street," noted that while it is not part of PBS, it depends on the stations to distribute its work.

"We do not comment on campaigns, but we're happy we can all agree that everyone likes Big Bird," said Sherrie Westin, a spokeswoman.