Washington: Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney has turned down a request to appear on Nickelodeon’s election special, his campaign has announced.
The children’s channel launched the show, Kids Pick the President: The Candidates, in 1988, where the presidential candidates answer videotaped questions from children, and then viewers can vote for their choice of president in an online poll.
In five of the past six presidential elections, child voters chose the same candidate as the eventual winner of the adult poll.
President Barack Obama has accepted the invitation to appear on the show this year.
According to the Guardian, Nickelodeon said it would now use file clips of Romney addressing some of the issues raised in the questions by viewers.
Linda Ellerbee, host of Nick News, said she was disappointed by the Romney team’s decision.
"I would be equally disappointed if he had said yes and Obama said no," Ellerbee said, adding: "It's not a personal thing, it's just a shame when both candidates don't see it as something important."
The network said Nick News reached out to Romney several times since April, but his campaign has since refused, the report said.
"I am still holding the door open until midnight October 14, I can work all night and cut the show and get him in. We'll meet him anywhere," Ellerbee added.
The special program will air on 15 October on Nickelodeon.
ANI
First Published: Wednesday, October 10, 2012, 14:31