This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/nov/25/sasha-malia-obama-thanksgiving-turkey-pardon

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Obama gives thanks to daughters for indulging his antics at turkey pardon Obama gives thanks to daughters for indulging his antics at turkey pardon
(about 1 hour later)
Related: The president and the Thanksgiving turkey – in picturesRelated: The president and the Thanksgiving turkey – in pictures
They are not the only teenagers who find public outings with dad – and listening to his bad jokes – something of an ordeal.They are not the only teenagers who find public outings with dad – and listening to his bad jokes – something of an ordeal.
But Malia and Sasha Obama couldn’t resist a burst of giggles on Wednesday when their father plunged new depths of silliness during the annual Thanksgiving turkey “pardon” at the White House.But Malia and Sasha Obama couldn’t resist a burst of giggles on Wednesday when their father plunged new depths of silliness during the annual Thanksgiving turkey “pardon” at the White House.
“It is hard to believe this is my seventh year of pardoning a turkey,” Barack Obama told an audience in the Rose Garden. “Times flies – even if turkeys don’t.” “It is hard to believe this is my seventh year of pardoning a turkey,” Barack Obama told an audience in the Rose Garden. “Time flies – even if turkeys don’t.”
Looking studious and serious in spectacles, cream sweater and denim skirt, Sasha, 14, who had put more distance than her sister between herself and the leader of the free world, melted into laughter at that. Malia, 17, not quite so self-conscious about standing beside dad, joined in.Looking studious and serious in spectacles, cream sweater and denim skirt, Sasha, 14, who had put more distance than her sister between herself and the leader of the free world, melted into laughter at that. Malia, 17, not quite so self-conscious about standing beside dad, joined in.
It was a moment of warmth on a chilly afternoon that suggested the Obama girls, who have looked less than thrilled to be part of the tradition in past years, realise that sometimes parents just have to be humoured.It was a moment of warmth on a chilly afternoon that suggested the Obama girls, who have looked less than thrilled to be part of the tradition in past years, realise that sometimes parents just have to be humoured.
Obama himself seemed to acknowledge as much when, apparently going off script, he said: “I am going to publicly thank Malia and Sasha for once again standing here with me.”Obama himself seemed to acknowledge as much when, apparently going off script, he said: “I am going to publicly thank Malia and Sasha for once again standing here with me.”
There was applause from onlookers, knowing parents doubtlessly among them. “They do this solely because it makes me feel good, not because they actually think that this is something I should be doing and, you know, as you get older you appreciate when your kids just indulge you like this, so I’m very grateful.”There was applause from onlookers, knowing parents doubtlessly among them. “They do this solely because it makes me feel good, not because they actually think that this is something I should be doing and, you know, as you get older you appreciate when your kids just indulge you like this, so I’m very grateful.”
Watched by his daughters, Obama pardoned a turkey named “Abe”, who gobbled right on cue, and also granted absolution to a back-up bird, “Honest”. Both turkeys will be spared the dinner plate and live out their days on a nearby farm in Virginia.Watched by his daughters, Obama pardoned a turkey named “Abe”, who gobbled right on cue, and also granted absolution to a back-up bird, “Honest”. Both turkeys will be spared the dinner plate and live out their days on a nearby farm in Virginia.
Both turkeys hail from California, are 18 weeks old and weigh about 42lb each. Their names were chosen from submissions entered by schoolchildren in California.Both turkeys hail from California, are 18 weeks old and weigh about 42lb each. Their names were chosen from submissions entered by schoolchildren in California.
The turkeys were raised by Dr Jihad Douglas, whom Obama referred to simply as “Dr Douglas”.The turkeys were raised by Dr Jihad Douglas, whom Obama referred to simply as “Dr Douglas”.
Obama declared: “Abe is now a free bird. He is Totus: turkey of the United States.”Obama declared: “Abe is now a free bird. He is Totus: turkey of the United States.”
He explained: “America is after all a country of second chances and this turkey has earned a second chance to live out the rest of his life comfortably on 1,000 acres of open land complete with a barn called the ‘the White House on Turkey Hill’, which actually sounds pretty good.”He explained: “America is after all a country of second chances and this turkey has earned a second chance to live out the rest of his life comfortably on 1,000 acres of open land complete with a barn called the ‘the White House on Turkey Hill’, which actually sounds pretty good.”
Earlier Obama got in a dig at the large field of Republicans vying to replace him. “As you may have heard, for months, there has been a fierce competition between a bunch of turkeys trying to win their way into the White House,” he said, adding after a pause and some laughter: “Some of you caught that.”Earlier Obama got in a dig at the large field of Republicans vying to replace him. “As you may have heard, for months, there has been a fierce competition between a bunch of turkeys trying to win their way into the White House,” he said, adding after a pause and some laughter: “Some of you caught that.”
George HW Bush was the first president to formally pardon a Thanksgiving turkey, though stories of spared turkeys date back to Abraham Lincoln’s presidency.George HW Bush was the first president to formally pardon a Thanksgiving turkey, though stories of spared turkeys date back to Abraham Lincoln’s presidency.
Last year a Republican official accused Malia and Sasha of looking bored at the turkey pardoning event and said they lacked class. The official later apologised.Last year a Republican official accused Malia and Sasha of looking bored at the turkey pardoning event and said they lacked class. The official later apologised.
After Wednesday’s ceremony, Obama placed a grateful hand on Sasha’s back. Father and daughters retired to the White House, chatting and laughing. “It was fun,” Malia was heard to say later. The teenagers’ trial was over for another year – and there is only one more to go.After Wednesday’s ceremony, Obama placed a grateful hand on Sasha’s back. Father and daughters retired to the White House, chatting and laughing. “It was fun,” Malia was heard to say later. The teenagers’ trial was over for another year – and there is only one more to go.