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Talking Turkey At the White House

This Thanksgiving holiday at the White House was all abuzz.

On Thursday President Obama, along with daughters Sasha and Malia, traditionally spared at least one turkey from ending up on someone else's Thanksgiving Day menu.  Cobbler and Gobbler, names choosen for the duo by an elementary school student who participated in the White House Turkey Pardon online voting process, was given a second chance.

The president knows about such second chances, having won re-election using 'forward' as his campaign slogan, and alluded to both in his turkey pardoning remarks.


President Obama and daughters Sasha and Malia pardon Cobbler, the White House Thanksgiving turkey.

"They say that life is all about second chances", said President Obama. "And this November, I could not agree more." 

The president's choice of words seemed to sit well with Cobbler, as he began gobbling afterwards.

"I like this bird", President Obama said.

After winning the 2012 election the president was lauded by his running mate as a president who won because he gave 'gifts' to a certain segment of the population.  

Seeming to speak directly to his failed running mate, the president said, "I have one more gift to give, and it goes to a pair of turkeys named Cobbler and Gobbler."

"The American people have spoken, and these birds are moving forward."

Sidenote here: Sometimes one just has to read between the lines.  But with that statement, the message was clear.  We do have one question for the administration, however:  Was the president somehow, in a cynical sort of way, referring to his presidential and VP challengers as a pair of turkeys?

Jive turkeys, perhaps?


  

But back to the Thanksgiving turkeys.

Here's a bit of background on Cobbler, and Gobbler (who was not in attendance), you may find interesting. 

The pair of 19-week old, 40-pound turkeys will be driven to George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens. The National Thanksgiving Turkey will be on display for visitors during “Christmas at Mount Vernon,” a special program through January 6. After the holidays, the National Thanksgiving Turkey and its alternate will live in a custom-made enclosure at Mount Vernon’s nationally recognized livestock facility.

The First Family dining with friends, family and staff, feasted on a sorted array of Thanksgiving dinner delights that included turkey (one that wasn't pardoned), ham, cornbread stuffing
oyster stuffing, greens, macaroni and cheese, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, and dinner rolls.  

For dessert the First Family indulged in several kinds of pies; among them: Banana cream, pumpkin, apple, sweet potato, huckleberry and cherry.






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