Bush Pardons Two Thanksgiving Turkeys 

Wed Nov 17,12:15 PM ET

 White House - AP	

By SCOTT LINDLAW, Associated Press Writer 

WASHINGTON - President Bush used the annual Thanksgiving turkey-
pardoning rite Wednesday to roast the bitter campaign for the White
House, jokingly recalling fund-raising disputes, attack ads and a
polarizing political movie. "Now's the time for healing," he said, as
he ceremonially spared two birds. 

The winning "candidates" in his satirical rendition of the
presidential campaign were Biscuits and Gravy, turkeys raised in
Mathias, W.Va. Their names came out on top on an online contest. 

"It was a close race. You might say it was neck and neck," Bush said.
He spoke in the Rose Garden during a rare joint appearance with Vice
President Dick Cheney. 

"It came down to a few battleground states. It was a tough contest,
and it turned out some 527 organizations got involved, including
Barnyard Animals for Truth," Bush said, mocking the free-spending
independent groups like Swiftboat Veterans for Truth known as 527s.
The group raised questions about Democrat John Kerry (news - web
sites)'s service in the Vietnam War. 

"There was a scurrilous film that came out, 'Fahrenheit 375 Degrees At
10 Minutes Per Pound,'" he said, panning "Fahrenheit 9/11," the
documentary film that assailed him over the handling of the Sept. 11
attacks and the war on terrorism. 

As Bush spoke, the two birds pecked at hedges in the Rose Garden.
After his remarks, Bush, wary after being pecked in the midsection
three years ago, kept a firm grip on one bird's neck. 

He said the birds would live out their lives at Frying Pan Park in
Herndon, Va., which raises farm animals. 

That drew an objection from People for the Ethical Treatment of
Animals, which said the turkeys would live in more humane conditions
at an animal sanctuary. 

			***

Gooble, Gooble, Bitch and Moan, democraps!
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