LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — PBS released a statement Thursday saying the company is "very disappointed" it became a target during Wednesday's presidential debate when Gov. Mitt Romney said he would cut funding to the station.
"I want to lower spending and encourage economic growth at the same time. What things would I cut from spending? Well first of all, I will eliminate all programs by this test – if they don't pass it: is the program so critical it's worth borrowing money from China to pay for it? I'll get rid of it," Romney said. "I'm sorry, Jim, I'm going to stop this subsidy to PBS, and I'm going to stop other things. I like PBS, I like Big Bird. I actually like you too, but I'm not going to keep spending money on things to borrow money from China to pay for it."
Romney's comment triggered thousands of Twitter responses including #KillBigBird hashtag.
"Governor Romney does not understand the value the American people place on public broadcasting and the outstanding return on investment the system delivers to our nation. We think it is important to set the record straight and let the facts speak for themselves," PBS' statement read.
The statement said, "91% of all U.S. television households tune in to their local PBS station. In fact, our service is watched by 81% of all children between the ages of 2-8."
Sesame Workshop tweeted a part of its statement:
Thursday morning, Pres. Barack Obama also tweeted a comment:
PBS Releases Statement In Response To Gov. Romney's 'Big Bird' Comment
/ CBS LA
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — PBS released a statement Thursday saying the company is "very disappointed" it became a target during Wednesday's presidential debate when Gov. Mitt Romney said he would cut funding to the station.
"I want to lower spending and encourage economic growth at the same time. What things would I cut from spending? Well first of all, I will eliminate all programs by this test – if they don't pass it: is the program so critical it's worth borrowing money from China to pay for it? I'll get rid of it," Romney said. "I'm sorry, Jim, I'm going to stop this subsidy to PBS, and I'm going to stop other things. I like PBS, I like Big Bird. I actually like you too, but I'm not going to keep spending money on things to borrow money from China to pay for it."
Romney's comment triggered thousands of Twitter responses including #KillBigBird hashtag.
"Governor Romney does not understand the value the American people place on public broadcasting and the outstanding return on investment the system delivers to our nation. We think it is important to set the record straight and let the facts speak for themselves," PBS' statement read.
The statement said, "91% of all U.S. television households tune in to their local PBS station. In fact, our service is watched by 81% of all children between the ages of 2-8."
Sesame Workshop tweeted a part of its statement:
Thursday morning, Pres. Barack Obama also tweeted a comment:
Featured Local Savings
CBS News Los Angeles
Woman found dead in South Los Angeles homeless encampment identified
Los Angeles Marathon awarding medals to runners who complete 18 miles
FEMA releases $35 million in funds for Annapolis City Dock flood mitigation project
World Cup security update: Foxboro "shocked and dismayed" by Kraft Group's latest statement on funding
Greensburg man charged with bringing bird to bar in his pocket
Video shows Amazon driver illegally passing school bus in Pittsburgh area
Bay Area driver unscathed after dozing off and crashing into big rig
Snow will affect Friday commutes, big accumulations for foothills