Obama pardons last turkey in Thanksgiving tradition
President Barack Obama pardoned his last Thanksgiving turkey on Wednesday, an annual tradition that sees the US leader spare two birds - the centerpiece of most holiday tables – from the carving knife.
“Thanksgiving is a chance to gather with loved ones, reflect on our many blessings and, after a long campaign season, finally turn our attention from polls to poultry,” he said as he introduced this year’s turkeys – two 40- pound, 18- week- old birds, named Tater and Tot.
Tot was pardoned in the Rose Garden ceremony, while Tater was on hand as an alternate, should anything go awry with the main bird.
“I want to take a moment to recognize the brave turkeys who weren’t so lucky, who didn’t get to ride the gravy train to freedom, who met their fate with courage and sacrifice and proved they weren’t chicken,” Obama said – prompting amused groans from the gathering.
“All right, congratulations,” Obama told the crowd after pardoning Tot, as the turkey gobbled on cue.
The president also took the opportunity to check off a list of accomplishments he was thankful for: six straight years of job creation, the stock market tripling, and marriage equality, among others.
John F. Kennedy was the first president to formally spare a turkey, but it wasn’t until the days of George H. W. Bush in 1989 that pardoning became a White House ritual.