What iconic character sparked many comments on social media when presidential candidate mitt romney mentioned his name during the first of three televised debates in 2012?

Mitt Romney turned Sesame Street star Big Bird into a social media phenomenon when he mentioned his name in a presidential debate in 2012. The reference to the oversized bird came as Romney proposed cutting funds to public television, the network that airs Sesame Street. He defended his move by saying that he loved Big Bird, but didn't want to have to borrow money to fund his network.