WASHINGTON – President Obama gave a ceremonial pardon to two lucky turkeys that got spared from the carving knife on the day before Thanksgiving – invoking Hollywood on his first day back from L.A.
“It was, quite literally, the Hunger Games,” Obama said, describing the brutal competition on the farm outside Badger, Minnesota where birds competed for the chance to come to the White House.
As usual, Obama’s remarks were packed with turkey jokes, though his lines sounded more jaded than usual on the first turkey pardon of his second term.
“The office of the presidency — the most powerful position in the world — brings with it many awesome and solemn responsibilities,” Obama said on the North Portico of the White House as rain fell on gathered reporters and photographers. “This is not one of them.”
He called the turkey pardon a great tradition, adding in a voice that sounded like he was ribbing his daughters, “And I know Malia loves it — as does Sasha.” Malia shook her head and said “No” when her dad made the remark.
Obama made what sounded like two references to himself as he pardoned Popcorn, who won a White House contest to be named the winning bird, and an alternate named Caramel.
“The competition was stiff, but we can officially declare that Popcorn is the winner — proving that even a turkey with a funny name can find a place in politics.”
“As for Caramel, he’s sticking around, and he’s already busy raising money for his next campaign,” Obama joked.
The tradition of pardoning a turkey dates to the administration of George H.W. Bush.
Obama said he and his family would bring “a couple less fortunate turkeys” to a local food pantry.