Updated

And now some fresh pickings from the Political Grapevine...

Just Friends

It's official.

Bert and Ernie are best friends. They are not gay.

Sesame Street's Facebook page posted a statement in response to online petitions calling for the duo to get married.

Quote -- "Even though they are identified as male characters and possess many human traits and characteristics, they remain puppets and do not have a sexual orientation." The statement read.

A Washington Post columnist dismissed the idea Bert and Ernie should marry, hoping instead for a same-sex human couple on the show because -- quote -- "Preschoolers will get this."

Highs and Lows

Republican Christine O'Donnell has a new book out with insights into her failed 2010 Delaware Senate bid.

The Associated Press reports she says the lowest moment in the campaign came when old video surfaced in which she said she "dabbled" in witchcraft as a teenager and then she gave this response.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CHRISTINE O'DONNELL: I am not a witch. I'm nothing you've heard. I'm you."

(END VIDEO CLIP)

O'Donnell says she never wanted to make the much-lampooned ad but was urged to do it by an insistent media consultant.

Ruh Roh

And finally, last night's debate got an unusual response from an audience we frankly don't think about too much.

Dogs.

The Washington Post reports the Twitter-verse was filled with tweets about the reaction man's best friend had to the warning bell telling candidates to wrap it up.

One Tweet read -- quote -- "Every time the bell rings in the Republican debate, our dog starts barking. No, Lola, Mitt Romney is not at the front door."

Well, we're sorry about that. We're up for suggestions. Fog horn? We don't know.