WASHINGTON - President Obama gave two turkeys a Thanksgiving Eve
pardon, jokingly comparing the action to his controversial decision last week
lifting the threat of deportation from five million undocumented immigrants.
"Today, I am taking an action fully within my legal authority, the
same kind of action taken by Democrats and Republicans before me, to spare the
lives of two turkeys, Mac and Cheese, from a terrible and delicious fate,"
Obama said at the White House, mimicking his arguments for his executive orders
on immigration.
"Some will call this amnesty," Obama said. "But don't
worry, there is plenty of turkey to go around."
The annual White House tradition has evolved from Presidents dating at
least to Harry Truman, though historians say Truman ate, rather than pardoned,
a turkey he received from a poultry and egg board.
As in the past five years, President Obama kept up a stream of jokes at
the event while First Daughters Sasha and Malia stood by.
"Want to pet him?" Obama asked them, drawing quick no from
Malia.
Cheese was the turkey officially pardoned after beating Mac in an
online vote. Both will go a Virginia farm for the rest of their days.
"Let's face it, if you're a turkey and you're named after side
dish, your chances of escaping Thanksgiving dinner While examining Cheese, the
President noted that "turkeys don't have the best-looking heads."
Citing questions about the need for the pardoning ceremony, Obama
acknowledged, "It is a little puzzling that I do this every year.
"But I will say that I enjoy
it, because with all the tough stuff that swirls around in this office, it's
nice once in a while just to say to say 'Happy Thanksgiving,'" he said.
"And this is a great excuse to do it."
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