Obama, Romney wage a battle over Big Bird

WASHINGTON (AFP) - The battle over Big Bird intensified in the White House race on Tuesday, as the towering yellow Muppet beloved by children got pinned down in the nasty crossfire between Mitt Romney and Barack Obama.

Mr Obama unveiled a new ad jabbing Romney over his vow to cut the subsidy for US public television, home of Big Bird's stomping ground, Sesame Street if he is elected on Nov 6.

"Mitt Romney knows it's not Wall Street you have to worry about, it's Sesame Street," the ad said, jokingly describing Big Bird as the "evil genius" towering over financial felons like Ken Lay and Bernie Madoff.

"Mitt Romney. Taking on our enemies, no matter where they nest," the announcer of the television ad, says pressing home Mr Obama's contention that Mr Romney, a former venture capitalist, would let Wall Street run wild.