The most contentious topic in the campaigns this week has not been the budget crisis, the war in Afghanistan or the health care debate. No, right now the candidates are focusing all of their energy on “Sesame Street.”

After former Gov. Mitt Romney’s controversial comment during last week’s debate that he would cut funding for PBS despite his admiration for Big Bird, “Sesame Street” fans and the Obama campaign declared their die-hard support for the puppet. A new ad  from the Obama campaign declares, “Mitt Romney knows it’s not Wall Street you have to worry about. It’s ‘Sesame Street’” while images of the beloved character flash on the screen. But Sesame Workshop has asked the Obama campaign not to run the ads, since the organization is non-partisan and does not support individual political candidates.

Using a nonpartisan organization for political firepower is unbecoming for President Obama. With more pressing issues at stake, the president should be addressing Romney’s larger vision and should not be focusing on just 15 words from a 90-minute debate.

The Obama campaign is certainly right in declaring its support for PBS in the face of Romney’s threatened cuts. But using content from “Sesame Street” after being asked not to is almost as disrespectful to the show as Romney’s comments. Obama believes PBS has a right to share its voice, so its voice should be heard on this issue.

Campaigns are often watered-down to catchy sound bites and memorable images. But this has gone too far when a giant bird puppet is currently representing the biggest controversy of the campaign. Both candidates should stop the pettifoggery and focus on more substantial issues, and the Obama campaign should begin by making this concession to the organization it claims to support.

A version of this article appeared in the Wednesday Oct. 10 print edition. Email the WSN Editorial Board at [email protected].