WASHINGTON (CBSDC/AP) — Despite being a Big Bird fan, Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney will cut funding to PBS if he gets elected president.

During Wednesday’s first presidential debate, the former Massachusetts governor said he would cut PBS and President Obama’s health care law from government funding, even apologizing to moderator Jim Lehrer, who hosts the PBS “NewsHour.”

“I’m sorry Jim, I’m gonna stop the subsidy to PBS, I’m gonna stop other things,” Romney said. “I like PBS, I like Big Bird, I actually like you too!”

Romney has repeatedly said that he would cut funding to PBS if he became president.

Obama responded by saying that Romney won’t reveal what tax loopholes.

The debate was the first of three for the candidates. By agreement between the rival campaigns, it was focused on the economy and other domestic issues.

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