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Bush Bails Out Birds: Pardons Pumpkin and Pecan
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ShareNovember 26, 2008 1:59 PM
ABC News' Kirit Radia Reports: Rapper John Forte isn't the only one getting a White House pardon this week. President Bush officially pardoned the 2008 White House turkeys in a Rose Garden ceremony Wednesday morning. The President also announced the results of this year's naming contest: Pumpkin and Pecan.
"Pumpkin and Pecan are hereby granted a full and unconditional -- unconditional presidential pardon," Bush said.
Pumpkin stood patiently to the side and then calmly sat on a table as the President and a flock of schoolchildren came by to pardon him. (Lucky for him, Sarah Palin was nowhere in sight).
Pecan, the President said, was waiting in an "undisclosed location." Why? "In the unlikely event the main event chickens out," the president deadpanned.
Both turkeys were pardoned, free to live out a long life without fear of roasting pans and basters. But first, they'll have work one more day.
After spending last night in the luxury Willard Hotel in Washington, D.C., the turkeys will fly first class to Disneyland in California late Wednesday aboard a flight the president dubbed "Turkey One." On Thursday, the birds will be the Grand Marshalls at the park's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
"I just hope they stay humble there," Bush said.
John McClintock of Disneyland Resort Public Relations confirmed that Disney paid all costs for first class air fare and the turkeys' hotel room was paid for by National Turkey Federation. Disney is the parent company of ABC News.
The turkeys' journey to the White House began, where else, in Iowa, where they were raised under the direction of National Turkey Federation Chairman Paul Hill. Hill and his family were on hand at the White House Wednesday and will escort the birds to California tonight.
The White House Deputy Spokesman declined to answer a question about the president's decision to pardon the turkeys, telling reporters,: "On instruction from White House Counsel I have to refer all turkey pardoning questions to the Office of the Pardon Attorney."
The President said he has a lot to be thankful for this year, including the health of his mother who was rushed to the hospital last night.
"This is my final Thanksgiving as the President. Over the past eight years, I have been given may reasons to be thankful. I'm thankful for our men and women in uniform and I am incredibly proud to have been their Commander-in-Chief.
"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. 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."
November 26, 2008 in Washington | Permalink | User Comments (23)
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My thoughts exactly, dragon!
Posted by: Pat | Nov 26, 2008 2:36:47 PM
He already has under exectutive order. And Obama could reverse such order but has already stated that he won't prosecute ANYBODY in this administration for violating the law. Apparently he likes the powers that Bush has granted for him. And NOBODY utters a word... If he would REVERSE every executive order of this administration he would undo the damage of the last eight years and win my respect. The sad part is he doesn't want it, and wants his followers to abuse anyone who questions their patron saint. Didn't we just have that "cult of personality" with that "War President dude??? Can't we just focus on enforcing the laws and leaving everybody else alone? Barack, you listening??? Na, too many giving you applause for your skin tone, and not for the abhorrent character of the company you keep, and who's crimes you cover up like you boy Biden. (Funding of 911 ring a bell Joe, wiring money to terrorists and getting the VP slot! SOME mainstream media, eh folks!)
Posted by: please! | Nov 26, 2008 2:39:13 PM
ummm....Detroit auto company CEO's are crucified for flying corporate jets to Washington, yet Washington allots first class airline passage for a pair of turkey's? What is wrong with this picture? Hello, Congress, get your pompous heads out of your nether region...
Posted by: Roger Wilco | Nov 26, 2008 2:40:11 PM
Typical of ABC--having to slam a Republican (see Sarah Palin comment) in a story that should have at least been uplifting!!!
Posted by: Debbie | Nov 26, 2008 3:00:33 PM
Roger, perhaps you should reread the article
"John McClintock of Disneyland Resort Public Relations confirmed that Disney paid all costs for first class air fare"
Posted by: Guy | Nov 26, 2008 3:14:06 PM
What a joke...the economy is a mess, we are at war, and they are flying two turkeys to Disneyland...with a hotel room to boot?????
Hard to tell which one is the turkey in the photo.
This is unbelievable.
Posted by: Barb | Nov 26, 2008 3:22:50 PM
And I don't care who is paying for it, if Disney has the money for this why not help bail out some of the little people?
Posted by: Barb | Nov 26, 2008 3:24:15 PM
ummm....Detroit auto company CEO's are crucified for flying corporate jets to Washington, yet Washington allots first class airline passage for a pair of turkey's? What is wrong with this picture?
Posted by: Roger Wilco | Nov 26, 2008 2:40:11 PM
------
If I were the turkeys, I want a full service of 5 rounds of champaign.
Posted by: expecting | Nov 26, 2008 3:29:39 PM
President-elect Barack Obama announced Wednesday that he is creating a new economic recovery board to provide a "fresh perspective" for his administration.
===========
So refreshing! It's so changing that we have elected 0bama.
He already needs "fresh perspective" for his administration, before it even ever got started!!!
Viva 0bama!
Posted by: expecting | Nov 26, 2008 3:36:39 PM
Barb, did you not read that Disneyland is paying for everything? Stop hating on Bush every chance you get.
Posted by: Ryan | Nov 26, 2008 3:37:22 PM
With all the horrible news that we hear everyday, why can't people just give it a rest and enjoy a piece of lighthearted news. I thought it was a cute news story. People need to smile every once in a while and this was a feel good story, Don't cheapen it by tearing it down. Are we not allowed in this country to feel good about a lighthearted story? Smile, it increases your happy factor!
Posted by: Nancy | Nov 26, 2008 3:38:47 PM
Hey roger read the story again it was Walt Disney that paid for the turkeys to fly around get the story straight
Posted by: mike from denver | Nov 26, 2008 3:43:04 PM
What do some of you people think, that they bought them real first class tickets and they are going to be flying up front with the other first class passengers??? LOL some of you are to funny!
Posted by: samhiguchi | Nov 26, 2008 3:54:56 PM
It's not as if this was an unusual occurrence--Thanksgiving turkeys have been pardoned at the WH for years. I think it's kinda dumb, but good for a laugh. So let's laugh! Happy Turkey Day.
Posted by: Colorado Dem | Nov 26, 2008 3:58:15 PM
True Walt Disney did pay for the first class tickets for the turkeys but it would have been nice if they used that money for feeding homeless people wouldn't it. Not our decision but I guess we live in a weird world when we fly two turkeys first class you almost have to laugh about it. Think about it this is the only time those two birds will be able to fly ha ha!!! Happy Thanksgiving everyone. EJ
Posted by: EJ | Nov 26, 2008 3:59:20 PM
pretty boring and sad that this is all we can talk about or even care.
Posted by: rodney | Nov 26, 2008 5:53:24 PM
I hate to burst the bubble some of you are obviously living in, but Walt Disney died on December 15, 1966. He ain't payin' fer nothin'. It's the Disney company that's paying to fly the turkeys out to California.
And, as samhiguchi said, if any of you honestly think that two turkeys are actually going to sit on seats in the first-class passenger cabin of a jet, you really sorta need to think about it all again...and then get a grip.
Posted by: FemaleVeteran | Nov 26, 2008 6:02:14 PM
Another photo-op for George. (Does he do anything else?) Come on January 20th!
Posted by: Danny | Nov 26, 2008 6:08:47 PM
This whole thing is stupid. Why isn't the lame duck in his office figuring out how to get us out of this mess he has created for us all.
Posted by: becky (the real one) | Nov 26, 2008 6:20:29 PM
Debbie wrote, "Typical of ABC--having to slam a Republican (see Sarah Palin comment) in a story that should have at least been uplifting!!!"
Yes, the very mention of Sarah Palin's name is enough to ruin any good, uplifting story!!!
Posted by: Rudy | Nov 26, 2008 9:07:22 PM
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