Pardon power
A nation scarred by the carnage in the rearview of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin‘s turkey event earlier this week hopefully found solace in President Bush‘s murder-free turkey pardon in the Rose Garden Wednesday.
As usual, the annual event was fraught with suspense: What were the winning entries in the contest to name the two pardoned White House turkeys? “Scooter” and “Libby”? “Lame” and “Duck”?
“This is an election year, so it is fitting that the names of these two birds were chosen through the democratic process,” Bush said. “When the people finally spoke, the names of the ticket sent here to the White House was Pumpkin and Pecan” (like the pies).
This is Bush’s final Thanksgiving as president — one he plans to spend at Camp David. But he read out a list of things he is thankful for this year: Those serving in uniform, volunteers who help the poor, teachers, nurses, pastors, police officers, firefighters, Laura, Jenna, Barbara and Jenna’s husband, Henry.
“Most of all, I thank the American people for the tremendous privilege of serving as the president,” Bush said.
The annual turkey pardon dates back to the Truman administration. Bush pardoned two turkeys — “in the unlikely event the main act chickens out,” he said.
“Turkeys are not the only ones on edge this morning,” Bush said. “It turns out the Rose Garden is Barney’s turf, so the press corps is a little nervous, as well.”
Only one turkey showed up for the ceremony this year, looking somewhat sedated.
“Pumpkin is right there,” Bush said. “Pecan is in an undisclosed location.”
