While Barack Obama’s approval rating is nothing to write home about, the president just acquired two more fans… albeit they are feathery and cannot vote.
Wednesday morning in the Rose Garden, Obama pardoned Liberty, a 19-week old, 45-pound turkey, from meeting the fate of millions of other turkeys on Thanksgiving as part of the decades-long tradition of the U.S. president sparing a “hand-selected” turkey from the dinner table.
Liberty’s alternate, a turkey named Peace, was also spared.
At the 64th anniversary of the National Thanksgiving Turkey presentation, Obama, flanked by daughters Sasha and Malia, proceeded to pardon the fowl.
“We can’t wait to pardon these turkeys!” Obama said, in a likely play on his 2012 campaign line. “Otherwise they’d end up next to the mashed potatoes and stuffing.”
Obama thanked National Turkey Federation Chairman Richard Huisinga for donating the turkeys and explained that they were raised by four students at a Wilmar, Minn, high school. The Associated Press reported early Wednesday that Minnesota produces the most turkeys of any state in the country, but it also happens to be a battleground state this election cycle.
“The turkey’s name is Liberty. There he is, and along with his understudy, named Peace, he has the distinction of being the luckiest bird on the face of the earth,” Obama continued. “Right now, he is probably one of the most confused.”
The president went on to speak briefly about the importance of Thanksgiving.
“A great writer once called Thanksgiving the one day that is ours,” Obama said, referring to American writer O. Henry, the pen name of William Sydney Porter. “The one day that is purely American. When we gather around our tables tomorrow to share the fruits of our blessings, let’s remember what that means. Let’s be grateful for what we have, let’s be mindful of those who have less. Let’s appreciate those who hold a special place in our lives and make sure they know it, and let’s think about those who can’t spend the holiday with their loved ones — especially the members of our military serving overseas.”
The president wished all Americans a happy and healthy Thanksgiving and, with a wave of his hand, told the very confused Liberty that he was “hereby pardoned.”
According to the White House, Liberty and Peace will be taken to George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens to be featured in the estate’s “Christmas at Mount Vernon” program and live out the rest of their lives in the manor’s livestock enclosures.