Obama Pardons Cobbler the Turkey
By: NBC News
Updated: November 21, 2012
President Obama pardoned a turkey and a spare at a White House ceremony Wednesday.
Cobbler the turkey emerged victorious in nationwide poll against another turkey, Gobbler, in a twist to the annual tradition.
"They say that life is all about second chances, and this November, I could not agree more," the president said during the Thanksgiving Eve Rose Garden ceremony, where he also spared runner-up Gobbler from someone's dinner table. "If Cobbler cannot fulfill his duties as the official White House turkey, Gobbler will be waiting in the wings."
The 4-month-old, 40-pound birds will live out their lives at a nationally recognized livestock facility just outside the nation's capital at George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens.
"From here, these two lucky birds will be swept up in a whirlwind of fame and fortune that will ultimately lead them to Mount Vernon, where they will spend their twilight years in the historic home of George Washington," said the president.
After the joking and gobbling, Obama wished American families a safe and healthy holiday. "Tomorrow, in the company of friends and loved ones, we will celebrate a uniquely American holiday. And think about just how lucky we are to live in the greatest nation on earth."
