Obama pardons Thanksgiving turkey
WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama pardoned two turkeys in an annual Thanksgiving rite on Wednesday, saying he wanted to offer the birds a second chance.
"They say life is full of second chances, and this November I couldn't agree more with that sentiment," a smiling Obama said in one of several lighthearted references to his re-election this month to a second term.
Cobbler, the newly designated national turkey, and his alternate, Gobbler, received a reprieve.
"The American people have spoken, and these birds are moving forward!" Obama said in a reference to his campaign slogan of "Forward."
Obama noted that Cobbler and Gobbler were selected by the American people, who cast their votes for the national Thanksgiving turkey on the White House Facebook page.
"Once again, Nate Silver completely nailed it," Obama said, referring to the New York Times blogger who correctly predicted the president's decisive victory in the Electoral College.
Accompanied by daughters Sasha and Malia, Obama waved his hand over Cobbler in a vaguely religious "dispensation," then laughed as the bird gobbled loudly. Obama and Sasha petted the turkey. Malia did not.
"Congratulations, Cobbler. You're going to have a great life," Obama said.
The 19-week-old, 40-pound turkeys are from Rockingham County, Va. They will live at George Washington's Mount Vernon estate, along with last year's birds, Liberty and Peace.
Thanks to the American people, "the only cobbler anyone's eating this Thanksgiving will come with a side of ice cream," Obama said.
On a more serious note, Obama asked Americans to remember those in the Northeast who lost their homes, possessions and loved ones to Superstorm Sandy. Obama, who toured New York and New Jersey after the storm, said he has seen much destruction, "but I have yet to find a broken spirit."
Later the Obamas and the president's mother-in-law, Marian Robinson, went to the Capital Area Food Bank where they distributed sweet potatoes, carrots and other vegetables to those in need, including a group of children wearing bright yellow vests identifying them as part of the ECS youth program. Michelle Obama's brother, Craig Robinson, who coaches the Oregon State University men's basketball team, joined them, along with several team members.
The tradition of pardoning a Thanksgiving turkey at the White House started with President John F. Kennedy in 1963.
"They say life is full of second chances, and this November I couldn't agree more with that sentiment," a smiling Obama said in one of several lighthearted references to his re-election this month to a second term.
Cobbler, the newly designated national turkey, and his alternate, Gobbler, received a reprieve.
"The American people have spoken, and these birds are moving forward!" Obama said in a reference to his campaign slogan of "Forward."
Obama noted that Cobbler and Gobbler were selected by the American people, who cast their votes for the national Thanksgiving turkey on the White House Facebook page.
"Once again, Nate Silver completely nailed it," Obama said, referring to the New York Times blogger who correctly predicted the president's decisive victory in the Electoral College.
Accompanied by daughters Sasha and Malia, Obama waved his hand over Cobbler in a vaguely religious "dispensation," then laughed as the bird gobbled loudly. Obama and Sasha petted the turkey. Malia did not.
"Congratulations, Cobbler. You're going to have a great life," Obama said.
The 19-week-old, 40-pound turkeys are from Rockingham County, Va. They will live at George Washington's Mount Vernon estate, along with last year's birds, Liberty and Peace.
Thanks to the American people, "the only cobbler anyone's eating this Thanksgiving will come with a side of ice cream," Obama said.
On a more serious note, Obama asked Americans to remember those in the Northeast who lost their homes, possessions and loved ones to Superstorm Sandy. Obama, who toured New York and New Jersey after the storm, said he has seen much destruction, "but I have yet to find a broken spirit."
Later the Obamas and the president's mother-in-law, Marian Robinson, went to the Capital Area Food Bank where they distributed sweet potatoes, carrots and other vegetables to those in need, including a group of children wearing bright yellow vests identifying them as part of the ECS youth program. Michelle Obama's brother, Craig Robinson, who coaches the Oregon State University men's basketball team, joined them, along with several team members.
The tradition of pardoning a Thanksgiving turkey at the White House started with President John F. Kennedy in 1963.
Look at all the "turkeys" obama pardons such as his aunti and uncle along with every illegal that makes it into the US and on the public assistance roles.
How come out Governor K couldn't pardon a turkey? I thought he would be against slaughtering anything as going against his moral scruples.
I can't get over the size of that thing, and hunters say they are really hard to track down, smart birds or something
 @archon312 Big difference between the wild and Domesticated..
One turkey saving another.
Hey Republicans, read these comments. Â When you find that folks don't like you, think on these. Â Special mention to Khre... and the 4 people who liked his comment. Â Go ahead, give me the "you guys do it too" or whatever. Â I bet you wouldn't let your kids get away with that BS.
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President George H.W. Bush was the first President to pardon a turkey. Â The tradition has continued. Â It's all in fun.
I think you need a history lesson Blotto. JFK was the first through Obama.
@cpt.iceman The White House Historical Association says it was Bush. http://www.whitehousehistory.org/whha_press/index.php/backgrounders/thanksgiving-pardoning-turkey-white-house/ However, my point was not to fix blame, but rather to show it was a long standing tradition, and, therefore, the offensive remarks were just mean spirited. If you take the tradition back to Kennedy or Lincoln, it makes the sniping more offensive not less. Sorry I got your gender wrong Khre... Happy Thanksging to all.
 @blotto Happy thanksgiving back to you! But I wont to point out,I was not the only one making turkey jokes at the politicians.  You made me feel singled out and that is kinda hokey! Won't take offense on getting the gender wrong. But Ael is a often used female name in sci-fi, not just ST, but also David Eddings..
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The article from the WH may have decided it was "officially a tradition" but still does not mean Bush was first on the whole..
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No problems, just if you wanna say something to me in future, post it to me..
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 @blotto Too bad you can't take a joke and had to single me out on it then.  And frankly, posting something aimed at me elsewhere instead of posting directly to me is rather CS..
 @blotto Wrong! Kennedy started the tradition!
Quote: "The tradition of pardoning a Thanksgiving turkey at the White House started with President John F. Kennedy in 1963."
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Last paragraph! That means he (Kennedy) was the first! And I'm not a he either! And all poli-rats are bunch of turkey's as far as I'm concerned.
>'...the president's decisive victory in the Electoral College'
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LOL... Well, at least I can give the AP credit for finally giving up on the 'if you repeat a lie enough times, it becomes accepted as truth' approach. Now, they're working with qualifiers to call President Obamas win 'decisive'.Â
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The problem is, the truth... the actual TRUTH, is much different. President Obamas victory was hardly 'decisive'. All one has to do is look at a map of the election, and it very quickly becomes apparent that his campaign staff, and campaign advisors had more to do with his 2nd term than any sort of widespread public mandate of support or endorsement of his policies. Moreover, I still stand by my statement that Gov Romney lost the election as much as President Obama won it.Â
Not only is he a poor president, but a bad comedian as well, Please spare us..
"the only cobbler anyone's eating this Thanksgiving will come with a side of ice cream," Obama sad. a truly Gobbles does it not? If I were the president, I would have condemned the turkey.ad would have said, eat , drink, and be merry. lol.
 @lee986321 If I were the president, I would've applauded Washington State and would have said, 'smoke, eat and be merry'. lol.
 @str1ngb3nd3r  @lee986321 Why? He's going to allow the DEA to continue raiding peoples homes no matter what law the state enacts.
 @Jamie Yeah, well that's him, I said, "If I were the president..."
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ME being the president,,,,there will be no allowing the DEA to continue raiding peoples homes because as president, MJ will be legal in all states...oh, did I forget to tell you,,,,that's if I'M the president.
He still has over 300,000 angry individuals to contend with
Where does the turkey end and the President begin? Shouldn't the turkey be pardoning the President for being a chicken?
They are both Fowl to me!!!
how can he pardon a turkey? Isn't that a conflict of interest?
@franksbeans ....good one !
Which one is the turkey and which one is Obama? I can't tell the difference.
In the picture from one Turkey to another.
"The American people have spoken, and these birds are moving forward!" Obama said in a reference to his campaign slogan of "Forward."
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And how's the work going "Forward" on the 'cliff'? . . . .   Haven't heard a gobble since last week when Reid emphatically said . . "I've told anyone . . .   that I am not going to be part of . . . "   I wouldn't be pardoning  these turkeys . . .  It shouldn't be the goose that gets cooked.
One turkey pardoning two others...
Well will you look at that! 5 turkey's ..
What is it with this stupid tradition? You know he & his family will be eating turkey like everyone else.
 @Jamie I'm glad I'm not the only one who finds this particular photo-op/tradition to be among the most inane and pointless events.
@MarkKpic @Jamie It's for fun.. Photo Ops. I think of it this way, as long as he is doing this he aint messing nothing else up at the time. Also he can say it was the Turkeys Fault if anything is wrong.