**A Mention Is Not An Endorsement**



A week after Big Bird became an unlikely character in the 2012 presidential campaign when Mitt Romney uttered his name in the first debate, the Obama campaign has approved a new ad that uses the "Sesame Street" character to attack the Republican nominee's plan to cut federal funding for PBS.

"Bernie Madoff. Ken Lay. Dennis Kozlowski. Criminals. Gluttons of greed," a voice-over reads in the new 30-second TV spot produced by Obama for America. "And the evil genius who towered over them? One man has the guts to speak his name."

Clips of Romney saying "Big Bird" in his stump speeches follow.

"Mitt Romney knows it's not Wall Street you have to worry about—it's 'Sesame Street,'" the narrator continues. "Mitt Romney: Taking on our enemies, no matter where they nest."

The producers of "Sesame Street" released a statement on Tuesday, saying they asked the Obama campaign to pull the ad.

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

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