The Walt Rogers campaign has learned that Family Communications, Inc., the nonprofit corporation that administers copyrights related to the show, did not grant permission for Kelley to use the song in her attack ad; in fact, the organization never permits political use of its copyrights, according to Chief Operating Officer Kevin Morrison.
The group will be issuing a “Cease and Desist” letter to Kelley, demanding that she stop infringing on their copyright and leave Mr. Rogers, an icon for millions of children, out of the political fray.
The ad’s attacks on Rogers are rather mystifying. It accuses him of wanting to “abolish” Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, with no evidence whatsoever. In addition, the programs mentioned are federal programs, but Rogers is running for state office – a distinction Kelley seems to assume voters will be unable to understand.
“Voters in the Cedar Valley know better than to believe these sorts of ridiculous accusations, and they won’t react well to my opponent dragging Mister Rogers into the political arena,” said Rogers. “I’m just going to keep talking about my commitment to smaller, smarter government.”
Walt Rogers is the Republican nominee for Iowa House District 20, which includes parts of southern Cedar Falls and southwest Waterloo, Hudson, and much of rural southwestern Black Hawk County. His opponent is incumbent Democrat Doris Kelley.