Obama cracks puns galore at final turkey pardon

The “dad jokes” were on full display Wednesday as President Obama pardoned his final Thanksgiving turkeys, though he implied he may continue the tradition as a private citizen.

“No way I’m cutting this habit cold turkey,” Obama said to laughs and groans during a ceremony at the Rose Garden. “I know there’s some bad ones in here, but this is the last time I’m doing this, so I’m not leaving any room for leftovers.

{mosads}“Yes we cran,” he added, chuckling. “Let’s get on with the pardoning — everybody know that Thanksgiving traffic can put people in a fowl mood.”

Obama then met “Tot,” the turkey up for clemency, and “Tater,” the bird’s alternate, both of whom will now live out their days at Virginia Tech University in Blacksburg — home of the Hokies.

“Tater is here in a backup role just in Tot can’t fulfill his duties,” Obama said before poking fun at Vice President Biden. “He’s sort of like the vice president. We’re working to get him a pair of aviator glasses.”

Obama next pardoned “Tot,” causing the turkey to energetically flap its wings as the president laughed and shouted “freedom.”

Wednesday’s ceremony, though largely comic, did turn serious as Obama thanked Americans for his two terms in office.

“On this Thanksgiving, I want to express my sincere gratitude to the American people for the trust you’ve placed in me over these last eight years,” he said. “Thanksgiving is also a reminder of our national strength — out of many, we are one.

“While accepting our differences and diversity have never been easy, it has also never been more important. We are defined by values and ideals that have been a light to humanity. We have a lot more in common than divides us.”