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President Barack Obama, with daughters Sasha, center, and Malia, right, pardons Cobbler the turkey, along with National Turkey Federation Chairman Steve Willardsen.
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President Obama pardoned a turkey and a spare at a White House ceremony Wednesday.
Cobbler the turkey emerged victorious in nationwide poll against another turkey, Gobbler, in a twist to the annual tradition.
“They say that life is all about second chances, and this November, I could not agree more,” the president said during the Thanksgiving Eve Rose Garden ceremony, where he also spared runner-up Gobbler from someone’s dinner table. "If Cobbler cannot fulfill his duties as the official White House turkey, Gobbler will be waiting in the wings."
The 4-month-old, 40-pound birds will live out their lives at a nationally recognized livestock facility just outside the nation’s capital at George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens.
“From here, these two lucky birds will be swept up in a whirlwind of fame and fortune that will ultimately lead them to Mount Vernon, where they will spend their twilight years in the historic home of George Washington,” said the president.
After the joking and gobbling, Obama wished American families a safe and healthy holiday. “Tomorrow, in the company of friends and loved ones, we will celebrate a uniquely American holiday. And think about just how lucky we are to live in the greatest nation on earth.”
The president went on to briefly address the devastation in the Northeast from Hurricane Sandy, and thank our armed forces. He reflected on his recent visits to tour the damage in New Jersey and New York: "While I’ve seen entire neighborhoods reduced to rubble, and heartbreaking loss and devastation, I have yet to find a broken spirit."
This year marked the first time the American public decided which of two birds would become the 2012 National Thanksgiving Turkey. The White House created a Facebook poll to determine the winner.
Voting was cut off Tuesday night, and Cobbler emerged as the victor. On Wednesday morning, he had 2,513 "likes" and 548 "shares" on his page, compared to Gobbler’s 2,230 likes and 484 shares.
The names of the two birds were chosen from submissions sent by elementary school students in Rockingham County, Virginia, where the turkeys were raised. Two less fortunate birds will be donated to a local food bank, the president said.
The pardon took place despite another annual custom — the written appeal by the People for Ethical Treatment of Animals to end the Turkey Day tradition. PETA asked Obama to skip the pardon, insisting the ceremony mocked “the mass slaughter of some 46 million gentle, intelligent birds.” The organization also said the tradition portrays the president in cahoots with “the turkey-killing industry.”
The turkey pardon is a presidential tradition that harkens back to Abraham Lincoln, who wrote out a Christmastime pardon at the insistence of his son.
It was John F. Kennedy who appears to be the first president to bestow a Thanksgiving pardon. A Nov. 20, 1963-dated article from the Los Angeles Times noted the president reprieved a monster of a bird, a “55-pound broad white tom.”
“We’ll just let this one grow,” Kennedy said at the time.
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Americans devour an estimated 46 million pounds of turkey each Thanksgiving, but every year one or two birds are spared this fate by none other than the president of the United States. Take a look at a few moments of comic clemency over the years.
Leave a Comment:
Bush's face in the slideshow picture = Classic!
PETA = Major buzz kill.
Of course Obama has to overdo things and deprive some homeless of their Thanksgiving dinner by pardoning two birds instead of one. That means one less turkey donated to the shelters to help feed the homeless on Thanksgiving. This is just one more demonstration of the ineptness of this president. He cares more about trying to boost his image by pardoning two turkeys instead of one than he does about homeless people having something to eat.
In that picture it's immediately after Bush tried to pet the turkey and it bit him, pretty funny.
And to JS, you can't be serious?
Oh by the way JS in SD, President Bush pardoned both turkeys also and was the first President to pardon a female turkey. How's that for trying to boost your image? Also, the first President to pardon a Turkey was Republican President Lincoln who's son had grown attached to one of them. The first President to pardon two turkeys was JFK. And I'm confused on where you stand because most Obama haters acuse him of helping needy American people so much, but when he pardons 2 turkeys you say he's not helping enough, make up your mind.
JS most of your comments are interesting and sometimes very informative. But I think you have been up a little too long if you are being serious in this comment.
If Romney won..no pardons..put the damm bird in the White House kitchen..tomorrow I'll take a leg.
Let me see if I understand the Repub orthodoxy right.
Everything Obama Does is Wrong.
Yep, unchanged in 4 years (and counting).
Amazing you're not attracting more people to your new big tent.
Which was the Turkey? The Black guy?
Yeah, that's the turkey that just flew in from Burma, long flight.
Yeah, about right, a useless far-left wing ideologue pardoning a turkey. He must want the turkey on the welfare roles like the other Bozobama fans.
Don't be a jive turkey.
Kraus, first person to pardon a Turkey was Republican President Lincoln. But the President who made it a tradition to pardon was Republican George Bush Sr. So really you're statement is incorrect, but if we correct it you are criticizing the Republicans.
A 4 month old turkey weighing in at 40lbs?!?!? Are you kidding??? GMO SURPRISE!
The store bought chickens you get are genetically engineered to bring you the most meat in the least amount of time. They literally lose the ability to walk due to early onset arthritis. I'm sure it's fine, they tell us so.
It doesn't take long. I used to raise chickens for my own use. The birds raise for meat would hatch out and be ready to harvest within 2 months if I wanted them to be the "Cornish Game Hen" size. If I wanted them to be full size I would have to wait about 4 months.
They don't live long enough to develop arthritis or any other disease. They are born starving, eat nonstop, and are harvested. Have to be careful of weaker ones, as the flock will focus on it and kill it. Then they will eat it after they kill it. I never knew birds were cannibals until I raised them.
Egg layers start laying at about 4 or 5 months and are much smaller birds.
Don't forget to bring a towel!
Don't be a "Hater" JS....Look OBama won, so just get over it!
Pardon my foot...I say, kill, pluck, bake, carve, and consume...and I don't need the PETA people on my case, OK?
PETA would actually like to see the presidential turkeys be humanely euthanized because they are a "horrific creation." The genetic alterations done to these turkeys and pardoning them pisses off PETA more than the killing and eating, saw them on CNN whining this morning about these turkeys, saying they have a life span of 2 years and it's all suffering and pain.
He pardoned two turkeys? Bush and Cheney?
Which was the Turkey? The Black guy?
Yeah, that's the turkey that just flew in from Burma, long flight
BooHoo
Keep whining, your next 4 years are going to be miserable ones.
you sure it wasn't jesse jr???
Hey Mike....just exactly what are u saying? Has Mr. Jackson done something especially wrong to you?
'in cahoots with the turkey killing industry'
oy....
Maybe he can pardon himself from the white house.
Really, folks...
I say, here's to the President, Malia and Sasha - don't they just look like they're having a good time? Bet they were. And to Cobbler and Gobbler, too - long, happy lives to them, at Mount Vernon!
Happy Thanksgiving to all; and to all, a Good Day...
Which was the Turkey? The Black guy?
Yeah, that's the turkey that just flew in from Burma, long flight
Reported for spamming.
In that picture even the turkey is smiling.
“They say that life is all about second chances, and this November, I could not agree more,” the president said.
But he is Pro-Abortion.....
Too bad we coulnd't pardon this turkey (Obama) from the Fright House.
Oh well, I am thinking on the positive side . . . only 4 more years. To think at one time we had 8 more years.
Peace out and enjoy a long weekend!
He's pro-letting-free-American-women-make-decisions-about-their-own-bodies. Show me one instance of him saying "women, if you're pregnant go get an abortion." If anyone should decide it should be women, and look how they voted this election. If you want to win next election, you're going to have to drop your 1 step from extreme-Islam ideas.
Republicans, the party of personal responsibility and freedom of choice, should be pro-choice!
That Bush picture is funny..poor turkey thought it was a small worm in Bush's pants..turkey was correct too!
How do you know what was in his pants Mike?
I am sure that your Thanksgiving will be anything but happy. Unhappy people like you are miserable 365 days a year. Too bad about you, loser.
A Facebook poll as to who lives and dies? Tyranny of the majority reaches a whole new level.
At least the names were better this year. Really sad to see a US President pardoning those dastardly criminals "Liberty" and "Peace" like he did last year.
Funny I thought Obama spent the last 4 years destroying "Liberty" and "Peace"
The turkey "Peace" that the Turkey "Obama" pardoned last year was euthanized.
JS in SD...get a life. It's laughable that people will find fault in anything this President does. Maybe next year he will pardon 3 turkeys just for you.
Mike227, you crack me up. Always the expert on everyone's penis. What do you do for fun?
Think!
I'm a Urologist !
Ok, but what do you do for work?
Hi all. This is a very disturbing display of President Obama's weakness. If he cant provide his family something as simple as a turkey for Thanksgiving dinner, what can he do for us? Can we expect him to be able to provide national security for the U.S. or will be pardon the aggressors, too. What's next, Barrack? This is why I will be voting for Mitt Romney next month. God bless and vote Republican! Bard N
Voting was 2 weeks ago, or didn't you republicans know that?
Poor Turkeys, he acts like he's doing something good to them while in fact they will be on the dinner table tomorrow at the Black House. White meat please.
he can pardoned himself. hes a Turkey to. but i don't think the turkeys believe his crap anyway.
The youngest Obama will be a Senator (Majority Leader) & the oldest will be an Anchor/Producer of TV News.
And turkey is more important than Private Manning ?
Good for the turkey.
What about Private Manning,
I am sure Obama will "pardon" many more turkeys over the next 4 years, the large contribution turkey's, the corrupt congressional turkeys, the criminal DOJ turkey, and the list goes on...
Yes, he will pardon BUSH for lying to the American people
When I clicked on the story I expected to see a picture of Turkey Biden.
Obama will never earn my pardon--he destroyed this country with his gleeful narcissism.