No pandering: Romney tells Lehrer he would cut funding for PBS; celebs moan

“Big Bird” is trending now after GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney answered PBS anchor and Denver debate moderator Jim Lehrer’s questions on government spending cuts he’d make. Eschewing the usual pander pose, Romney told Lehrer he loves Big Bird, but would end taxpayer funding for Lehrer and Big Bird’s employer.

Pearl-clutching celebs weighed in — on the side of continued federal subsidies, of course:

I am going to stop subsidy to PBS… "I love Big Bird" Mitt Romney – Big Bird you are now part of the 47%

— Sherri Shepherd (@SherriEShepherd) October 4, 2012

WOW!!! No PBS!! WTF how about cutting congress's stuff leave big bird alone

— Whoopi Goldberg (@WhoopiGoldberg) October 4, 2012

Mitt is smirky, sweaty, indignant and smug with an unsettling hint of hysteria. And he wants to kill BIG BIRD. #debate2012

— olivia wilde (@oliviawilde) October 4, 2012

Who picks on Big Bird!!! #bulliesthatswho

— Taraji P. Henson (@tarajiphenson) October 4, 2012

Wait. What the hell did I do? – Big Bird

— Brittany Snow (@Brittanysnow) October 4, 2012

yo son. RUN! @big_bird

— Trash That Rizzo Statue (@questlove) October 4, 2012

Heh:

Jim Lehrer can't moderate debate well, because he's texting Big Bird to see if he can move into the nest, share seed expenses. #mockthevote

— ? Caissie “Pretty Scared, You?” St.Onge (@Caissie) October 4, 2012