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.
The only turkey i see in that picture is oblama
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Obama has a great smile that comes from his great spirit and love for the country.
WOW Malia got so tall so fast.
I wonder how many thousands of taxpayers dollars go to feed these birds every year. Â Time to stop all the PC crap and eat the bird.
What? Obama pardoned a turkey?  Was it Romney? It sure looked like him in the photo.... ;-)
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Just kidding folks, just kidding.
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Well he may have offered the birds a second chance, (especially since he got his)Â but we're still waiting for ours.
I don't care for Obama myself and didn't vote for him but I did think about his girls during the election. I can't imagine having to live through that whole campaign process and know that whether or not we moved to a new house depended on whether the election was won or lost. Must be really strange. At least one good thing that comes out of his re-election is that his girls get to stay in the same home and stay at the same schools.
 @justathought " At least one good thing that comes out of his re-election is that his girls get to stay in the same home and stay at the same schools."
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Tell that to the 23 million Americans that are out of work and may not have a home.
Obama caused this? Â
He caused the recession that started before he was elected?Â
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And Romney or McCain would have magically fixed it?Â
So you are prepared to give everyone a detailed list of things they would have done, based on what they said during each of their campaigns.Â
And then using emperical historical and mathematical data to show exactly how their actions would have helped anything.,
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Because Obama passed one of the largest stimulous packages in history that also included one of the largest tax cuts in history.Â
He tried to do more, but was blocked by the republicans who were more worried about transvaginal wands than actually fixing the economy.Â
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So tell us. exactly how would we be better off with more repulbicans in power?
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bonus points for not using phrases like "well at least he wouldn't have..."Â
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 @al_wa  @justathought Amen.
About the only thing the President has done right.He didn't listen to PETA.Â
His girls are very beautiful. Reminds me of my daughters. And his smile looks most genuine.
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Whoever is president, this is a tradition for Pete's sake. Yes, he stinks but this is just for fun.
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Happy Thanksgiving everyone. One day at a time folks.Â
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God first, then country, or country will cease to exist. Give thanks to where it all comes from.
Some people have ham also for Thanksgiving, when is a pig going to get pardon? Lets not forget the cow that is slaughter for all our b.b.q. in the summer, what about him? Just kidding, I find this really stupid to do and I just really do not understand why we do it.
 @Just my say http://www.infoplease.com/spot/tgturkey2.html Might help you understand it a bit.
 @DarkRenegade Thanks
He might have pardoned the turkey, but they never said they won't eat it!
 @toolbox1007 They send it to a farm to live out its life on the taxpayers dime.
WOW! have those girls grown! Malia is sure starting to look like her mom. A couple of beautiful young ladies - hope the secret service is ready for any "dates with the president's daughter".