You know by now about Mitt Romney's plan to save a teeny-intsy-weenie part of the budget, one one-hundredth of one percent, by firing Big Bird. Because deficit. And tax cuts for rich people. And his love for firing people. Birds. Whatever.
Did you know, though, that his tax plan would also mean charitable deductions would largely disappear for middle class people? So no federal money, and no benefit for donors giving to PBS. He really hates that Big Bird.
But did you further know that pretty much every sitting Republican member of Congress has voted repeatedly to defund public broadcasting?
That's why our whole slate of House candidates is included in Hell to Pay this week. Because they voted against Big Bird. Against Cookie Monster and Elmo and Snuffleupagus.
Asked for comment, some of our Hell to Pay candidates responded.
Carol Shea Porter's (NH-01) campaign wants you to know where her opponent's priorities lie, and it ain't with the children:
Why are Congressman Frank Guinta and Mitt Romney taking aim at Big Bird? Why did Congressman Guinta vote to end funding for something that teaches our little ones and helps families? Congressman Guinta said that one of his highest priorities was to defund the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. In Congress, he has voted to do just that.
Naomi Andrews, Campaign Manager for Carol Shea-Porter, released the following statement. "Congressman Guinta needs to say no to Big Oil subsidies and yes to Big Bird and the Corporation For Public Broadcasting."
Some of our other candidates wrote to let us know who they'd miss most from Sesame Street, and why:
Kathy Boockvar (PA-08):
"I'll have to go with Oscar the Grouch before my morning coffee, and Grover afterwards, after he comes to peace with his inner monster."
Lois Frankel (FL-22):
"I know that Mitt Romney and his campaign co-chair— my opponent—want to tell Big Bird, Bert, Elmo and the rest of the gang on Sesame Street to hit the road. Elmo has always been my favorite and I would hate to see him unemployed because of Mitt Romney. All of us could learn a lot from Elmo's positive attitude and optimistic outlook. The 'Elmo quality' is something more people in Washington need to emulate and it's amazing that the Republican's are trying to throw it out into the cold."
Betty Sutton (OH-16):
Elmo's character is about inclusiveness—about teaching all children that love is important- loving your neighbor—your friend. It's also about learning—from colors to safety—to bedtime routines and how to buy things in a store. He is a character that helps children learn about the world in a way I think we all strive to be—more accepting, more tolerant, more kind, and above all, more loving of the people around us.
Pat Kreitlow (WI-07):
"The Count—Because Bill Clinton proved we need math skills beyond grade school, and especially in Congress. Also, there's an acCOUNTability joke somewhere in there, but I won't do that to you Joan."
Annie Kuster (NH-01):
Favorite character: The Count
Why: If House Republicans had the Count's accounting skills, perhaps they'd have done a better job reducing the deficit.
You can sure tell these folks aren't Republicans!
Let's see how far we can go to strike a blow for Elmo and Oscar and the Count. And especially Bert and Ernie (you know know how much Republicans hate Bert and Ernie).
Give $1 to each of our House candidates in Hell to Pay.
4:02 PM PT: And another addition, from Dr. Ami Bera (CA-07):
I like Elmo because he was my daughter's favorite character when she was little. He embodies the enthusiasm and optimism all children need in their lives.
Awwww. What a great dad.
4:20 PM PT: Do you remember this? The first time Count von Count appeared on Sesame Street, in 1972.
Who else is in for the Count?
4:34 PM PT: Our very own grover likes this one best.
4:38 PM PT: What is wrong with Republicans? PPP just polled Big Bird in Wisconsin.
We also asked about Big Bird himself and while he's a popular figure overall with a 51/11 favorability rating even his reviews have become somewhat partisan with Democrats (58/11) rating him a lot higher than Republicans (37/12).
4:41 PM PT: C'mon folks! Let's make that thermometer move for the Muppets!
4:58 PM PT: Let's see if we can hit 75 donations in the next half hour. Let's go!