Obama Turkey Pardon: President, Flanked By Sasha & Malia, Saves "Liberty" From Roasting

President Obama took to a stage outside the White House this morning, flanked by his daughters Sasha and Malia, to offer this year's Thanksgiving turkey pardon. The lucky recipient of this year's reprieve from death was a handsome 45 pound turkey named "Liberty," slightly bigger than last year's tom, "Courage."

HuffPost DC reporter Rachel Tepper helpfully explains that Liberty joins a long line of turkeys bred specially for the pleasure of being pardoned, making the event no more than ceremonial -- but it's a nice moment nonetheless.

Here's the video:

Comments

[seeker2]

12:10 PM on 11/27/2011

Judging from the solemn looks on Sasha's and Malia's faces, I wonder why they don't seem to be enjoying their father's humor, nor the holidays and White House traditional activities. Their expressions were similar yesterday, Small Business Saturday (or whatever phrase was bestowed), in the bookstore and when they viewed the arrival of the White House Christmas tree with their mother.

Are they worried about how the press will portray them? Or do they detest public exposure, even when expected for holiday events? I hope the White House photographer will share at least a few happy, fun times of the girls.

[KirkCLinn]

02:30 PM on 11/24/2011

Too bad they no longer go to Disneyland after they are pardoned!

[ycr]

10:24 PM on 11/26/2011

They may not, but the dope dealers Obama pardoned this week may. After all didn't he pardon terrorists from GITMO and send them to Bermuda. Oh what a twisted world we live in.

[JrayTo]

12:34 AM on 11/24/2011

Meanwhile, the GOP prepares their two turkeys:"HYPOCRISY" and "BIGOTRY"

[Howzat]

01:09 AM on 11/26/2011

Boehner and McConnell sound right to me

[ycr]

10:22 PM on 11/26/2011

So funny. Obama daughters pardon turkeys this week and their old man pardons dope dealers. I wonder if they are dining with their favorite self proclaimed terrorist and sipping hot chocolate while hanging last years Christmas ornament of mass murderer Mao Zendong. What a quaint Whitehouse. How bizarre and strange we have become. The party of Obama. Sick and Twisted.

[JrayTo]

01:55 AM on 11/27/2011

Is that you Harold Camping?

[K White]

07:31 PM on 11/23/2011

That plump turkey sure would look good on my table tomorrow!

[cornelison]

06:02 PM on 11/23/2011

Just don't pardon Cheney if he ever goes to prison.

[ycr]

10:18 PM on 11/26/2011

No just keep pardoning the dope dealers you've been pardoning all week. Way cooooool prez.

[sbrez]

03:10 PM on 11/23/2011

anyone else waiting for the GOP to filibuster the turkey pardon?

[Rational Voice]

02:30 PM on 11/23/2011

Too bad he's done nothing to save "liberty" for the rest of us...

Sure -- he can pardon a turkey -- but Marc Emery, Jason Spyres, and Bradley Manning all get "No comment" responses. Mr. Obama cares more about the turkeys, than he does his fellow man.

[traceymarie]

10:21 PM on 11/23/2011

calm down bag...this is the food section not the bag rant section

[Rational Voice]

06:16 PM on 11/26/2011

Just stating the facts, ma'am. Don't get all bent out of shape about it. Contrary to popular belief, reality does still exist on holidays.

[Mij13]

08:04 AM on 11/24/2011

Oh, grow up.

[Rational Voice]

06:13 PM on 11/26/2011

Why ... did I say something that wasn't true ... nope just checked my facts again -- it's true.