Bush Pardons the National Thanksgiving Turkey

Hello, Handsome!

WASHINGTON (AP) -- With a smile and some nostalgic words, President George W. Bush spared the national Thanksgiving turkey on Wednesday, honoring a tradition that dates to Harry Truman's presidency. The 45-pound bird, named "Pumpkin" through an online vote, behaved quietly while the president presided over a Rose Garden ceremony.

The other name on the ticket, a backup bird with the chosen name of "Pecan," was nowhere to be seen. Undisclosed location, Bush joked.

"Pumpkin will be the honorary grand marshal of Disneyland's Thanksgiving Day Parade," the president declared. "Together, these birds will gobble the rest of their days in the happiest place on Earth. I just hope they stay humble there."

Leaders at PETA, who advocate for the ethical treatment of animals, objected. They urged Bush to send the turkeys to an area sanctuary instead.

"You might be a lame duck," PETA President Ingrid Newkirk said in a letter to Bush, "but you still have the power to help lame turkeys."

Alas, the ritual went on as planned. Nearly done with two terms in office, Bush has been going through some of the lighter White House moments for a final time this year—last Tee Ball game on the South Lawn, last ceremony with the winning Super Bowl team, last moment sharing a stage with a turkey.

Bush always reflects a bit at Thanksgiving time, but he went further this year as the end of his presidency looms.

I think this is a wonderful White House tradition.
The fact that PETA is whining about the turkeys being cared for at Disneyland is ridiculous. I wonder how long it took Newkirk to come up with her LAME remarks about Bush being a "lame duck" and having power to "help lame turkeys."

Enough about lame PETA.

Here are the official results of the National Thanksgiving Turkey Name vote:



I'm very happy that "Pumpkin & Pecan" won. At least one vote I cast in 2008 helped elect the winner.

I hope the Democrats don't send in the lawyers and demand a recount.

Here's the White House transcript of President Bush's remarks:

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you, all. Please be seated. Welcome to the Rose Garden for the pardoning of the National Thanksgiving Turkey.

This is a tradition that dates back to the presidency of Harry Truman. Just to be safe, I will be pardoning a second bird -- (laughter) -- in the unlikely event the main act chickens out. (Laughter.) Turkeys are not only the ones on edge this morning -- you see, it turns out the Rose Garden is Barney's turf. (Laughter.) So the press corps is a little nervous, as well. (Laughter.)

I appreciate the representatives of the National Turkey Federation who have joined us: President Joel Brandenberger; Chairman Paul Hill; Paul's wife, Mary June. Today's birds were hatched on the Hill family farm in Ellsworth, Iowa. Paul's son, Nathan, and daughter-in-law, Betsy, along with grandsons Collin and Connor, did a fabulous job of raising the guests of honor.

I also welcome the children here from Cloverly Elementary School. And after I make my brief remarks, you will be welcome to come up and pet our feathered friends.

This is an election year, so it is fitting that the names of these two birds were chosen through the democratic process. After a long, drawn out election season, when the people finally spoke, the name of the ticket sent here to the White House was Pumpkin and Pecan. (Laughter and applause.) Pumpkin is right there. (Laughter.) Pecan is in an undisclosed location. (Laughter.)

Pumpkin and Pecan have an exciting trip ahead of them: Later today, they will fly to Disneyland aboard "Turkey One." (Laughter.) Pumpkin will be the honorary Grand Marshal of Disneyland's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Together these birds will gobble the rest of their days in "The Happiest Place on Earth." I just hope they stay humble there. (Laughter.)

This is my final Thanksgiving as the President. Over the past eight years, I have been given many reasons to be thankful. I'm thankful to our men and women in uniform and I am incredibly proud to have been their Commander-in-Chief. (Applause.) I am thankful for the armies of compassion volunteers who feed the hungry and shelter the poor. I am thankful for the teachers and nurses and pastors police officers and firefighters, and others who serve their neighbors and better their communities.

I'm thankful for the wonderful and supporting family that I have been blessed with. I'm grateful to Laura for her love. I'm grateful for two Thanksgiving miracles who were blessed -- who we were blessed with 27 years ago: Barbara and Jenna. I'm thankful for the fact that my mother is doing well. (Applause.) And this year we're looking forward to having another place at our Thanksgiving table with a son-in-law, and I'm thankful for Henry.

Most of all, I thank the American people for the tremendous privilege of serving as the President. In recent weeks, I've talked a lot about sprinting to the finish. Yet I've assured these turkeys they will not be trotting to their finish. (Laughter.) That's because in keeping with a longstanding tradition, Pumpkin and Pecan are hereby granted a full and unconditional -- unconditional presidential pardon.

I wish all Americans a happy Thanksgiving, and may God bless you. (Applause.)

Happy Thanksgiving, Pumpkin!