Obama Politicizes Turkey Pardon, Even Sneaks in Campaign Slogan: 'Forward!

US President Barack Obama gestures during the annual Thanksgiving turkey pardon with his daughters Sasha (2nd R) and Malia (R) on November 21 , 2012 at the White House in Washington, DC. (Photo: AFP/Getty Images)

During the annual presidential tradition of pardoning a Turkey just before Thanksgiving, President Obama couldn't seem to resist referencing the recent election against Gov. Mitt Romney.

"They say life is all about second chances, and this November, I couldn't agree more," he said with a smile in the Rose Garden Wednesday.

Perhaps referring to Mitt Romney's allegation that he won through "gifts," Obama continued: "So in the spirit of the season, I have one more gift to give, and it goes to a pair of turkeys named Cobbler and Gobbler."

Obama then proceeded to reference his campaign slogan, as the crowd gave a laugh: "The American people have spoken, and these birds are moving ​forward!​"

While the previous references could be seen as coincidences, Obama's next line was impossible to misinterpret.

"Now, I joke but, for the first time in our history, the winners of the White House turkey pardon were chosen through a highly competitive online vote.  And once again, Nate Silver completely nailed it!  The guy's amazing..."

Nate Silver is a FiveThirtyEight New York Times blogger who predicted a landslide victory for the president.

After that, Obama thanked everyone who participated in the "turkey vote," saying that because of them, "the only cobbler anyone's eating this Thanksgiving will come with a side of ice cream."

Watch the pardon and accompanying political jokes, via The Daily Kos:

(H/T: Mediaite)