Obama pardons 2 turkeys

Associated Press

WASHINGTON

President Barack Obama pardoned two turkeys in an annual Thanksgiving rite Wednesday, saying he wanted to offer the birds a second chance.

“They say life is full of second chances, and this November, I couldn’t agree more with that sentiment,” a smiling Obama said in one of several lighthearted references to his re-election this month to a second term.

Cobbler, the newly designated national turkey, and his alternate, Gobbler, received a reprieve.

“The American people have spoken, and these birds are moving forward!” Obama said in a reference to his campaign slogan of “Forward.”

Obama noted that Cobbler and Gobbler were selected by the American people, who cast their votes for the national Thanksgiving turkey on the White House Facebook page.

Accompanied by daughters Sasha and Malia, Obama waved his hand over Cobbler in a vaguely religious “dispensation,” then laughed as the bird gobbled loudly. Obama and Sasha petted the turkey. Malia did not.

On a more serious note, Obama asked Americans to remember those in the Northeast who lost their homes, possessions and loved ones to superstorm Sandy.