U.S. President Barack Obama pardons the 2012 Thanksgiving Turkey, Cobbler, next to next to his daughters Sasha and Malia (R) and National Turkey Federation Chairman Steve Willardsen in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, November 21, 2012. (Photo by Yuri Gripas/Reuters)
President Obama kicked off the annual Thanksgiving turkey pardoning on Wednesday with a laugh.
“You know they say life is all about second chances. And this November, I could not agree more,” he said.
The president, who just returned from a trip to Asia, pardoned Virginia-bred turkeys Cobbler and his alternate, Gobbler, in the White House’s Rose Garden.
This was the first time that the American public got a say in which fowl would become the national bird. It was a close race, all done via Facebook, but Cobbler came out on top.
“And once again, Nate Silver completely nailed it. The guy’s amazing. He predicted these guys would win,” Obama joked of the New York Times polling guru who correctly predicted how all 50 states would vote in the presidential election.
Cobbler and Gobbler (Gobbler will be “waiting in the wings” in case “Cobbler cannot fulfill his duties as the official White House turkey,” Obama said) will now permanently reside at George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate—though their days may be numbered. Turkeys bred for eating, like these, aren’t usually destined for long-lasting lives. In fact, Peace, last year’s turkey understudy, died an untimely death on Monday (turkey experts say this isn’t unusual).
But at least for now, Cobbler and Gobbler are safe.
“Because of your votes,” the president said, “the only cobbler anyone is eating this Thanksgiving will come with a side of ice cream.”
President Barack Obama, with daughters Sasha, center, and Malia, right, carries on the Thanksgiving tradition of saving a turkey from the dinner table with a “presidential pardon,” at the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2012. After the ceremony, “Cobbler” will head to George Washington’s historic home in Virginia to be part of the “Christmas at Mount Vernon” exhibition. (Photo by J. Scott Applewhite/AP Photo)
