Posted on 10/13/2012 12:35:38 PM PDT by John Semmens
Gloating over what they consider a “colossal blunder,” the Obama campaign has launched a series of ads promising that Obama will save the Sesame Street character from “extinction” at the hands of the GOP.
Obama Campaign spokesperson, Jennifer Psaki boasted that “the cruel side of Governor Romney is now on display for every voter with school-aged children to see. The idea that he would even consider defunding this American icon is the unkindest cut of all. We won't let voters forget it.”
Whether Big Bird or Sesame Street would face extinction without federal subsidies seems dubious. The Sesame Street operation grossed over $100 million last year and has nearly $300 million in assets on the company's books. Merchandise sales, copyright licensing fees, and corporate sponsorships account for 90% of their revenues. Federal subsidies make up less than 10% of total revenues. Ironically, at a salary of over $300,000, the actor who plays Big Bird falls in the group the Obama Administration says needs to pay higher taxes.
A lawyer for Sesame Street has requested that the Obama Campaign refrain from using its characters in its ads. Psaki acknowledged receipt of the complaint, but declined to confirm the campaign would comply with the request. “If the President feels he needs to use these characters to make his point he will continue to use them,” Psaki asserted. “After all, the needs of the nation surely override this organization's hope to make a profit. Besides, it is by no means clear who owns the rights to these characters. If the government subsidizes Sesame Street why shouldn't it control how the benefits of that subsidy are dispersed?”
Obama campaign adviser Robert Gibbs seconded Psaki's take. “The fact of the matter is that what the President says or does about anything takes precedence over what anybody else has to say or do,” Gibbs argued. “He represents all Americans. As such, whatever he determines is right for the country supersedes the private interests of any other individual or organization.”
if you missed any of this week's other semi-news posts you can find them at...
http://www.freedomsphoenix.com/Opinion/120635-2012-10-12-semi-news-a-satire-of-recent-news-october-14-2012.htm
The character will not be extinct - commercial tv will snap it up ... IF it is really that popular. How would we know - PBS is never subjected to ratings.
This is beautiful - shows exactly what obungler gives priority and his propensity to double down.
If Barry wants the bird, let’s give it to him on November 6th! Vote!
4/5 times I glimpse a headline from one of these Semi-Satire articles I initially think it’s real until I see the source.
Maybe Chic-fil-a could sell a Big Bird Sandwich as a fund raiser.
My gosh. Big Bird. This president continues to bring this election to the level of a 6th grade student body president race. He degrades the whole country by focusing on this. Freak.
If Romney the meanie kills Big Bird .... I’m gonna be sooooo mad !
John....You’re left the planet....This is NOT satire.
I thought you put the blast on that bird?
Obama makes a slave of Big Bird!
Boy that would make my day.
This bunch is getting harder and harder to parody. It’s a good thing you’re up to the job, John. I’m still chuckling at that Napalitano one.
That was my thought also. Worse than that, Big Bird was originally mentioned by Romney during the debate when all he said was "I like Big Bird but" when he proposed cutting government funding to PBS.
No mention of Jim Lehrer by Obama. Is he not worried about Lehrer? Obama can't be original. He's still using Romney's one line from the debate and it appears that the government funding PBS is Obama's primary topic in his campaign.
Big Bird is getting quite old. I’m thinking he wants a nice gender-friendly retirement place in Hawaii....
(You’re shooting fish in a barrel with this guy)
A lawyer for Sesame Street has requested that the Obama Campaign refrain from using its characters in its ads. Psaki acknowledged receipt of the complaint, but declined to confirm the campaign would comply with the request. “If the President feels he needs to use these characters to make his point he will continue to use them,” Psaki asserted. “After all, the needs of the nation surely override this organization's hope to make a profit. Besides, it is by no means clear who owns the rights to these characters. If the government subsidizes Sesame Street why shouldn't it control how the benefits of that subsidy are dispersed?”
Brilliant satire.
Ha... this one not as convincing as others... but still funny...
‘Course I did! It’s all shot, plucked, grilled and ate up!
The one the prexy is going to “save” must be an imposter. Probably gay as hell, too.
Too bad he didn’t save the ambassador
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