The Ongoing, Awkward War Between the President and the Turkey (With Pictures!)

The National Thanksgiving Turkey Presentation takes place annually around Thanksgiving time. As many know, this is when the president "pardons" a turkey. According to WhiteHouse.gov, "tales of spared turkeys date back to the Lincoln days," but it wasn't until 1989 that George H. W. Bush issued the first official pardon.

Either way, it's always appeared just a little awkward for those involved.

Roosevelt started the awkward president/turkey relationship when he was startled in 1938

Photo Credit: Life/Time

That ended fast

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Truman had a tentative truce with the bird

Photo Credit: trumanlibrary.org

That ended swiftly

Photo Credit: trumanlibrary.org

 Ike tried for peace

Photo Credit: poppowwow.com

 It did not last long

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At all...

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Nom Nom Nom

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Kennedy was not really sure what to do & remained awkward

Photo Credit: jfklibrary.org/

Johnson engaged in a furious staring contest with the bird

Photo Credit: poppowwow.com

Nixon shook hands

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...and tried to be friends

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 No use -- awkward.

Photo Credit: bonappetit.com

Gerald Ford frankly just looked awkward everywhere

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Reagan worked at the relationship

Photo Credit: Getty Images

No use

Photo Credit: https://mentalfloss.com/sites/default/files/styles/article_640x430/public/reagan-turkey-pardoning_5.jpg

Awkward

Photo Credit: (Reagan Library, C43795-20)

Clinton formed a coalition

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Bush gave it his best

Photo Credit: AP

Awkward.

Photo Credit: Life/Time

Now Obama is trying his hand at the relationship

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Our hopes are not high

Photo Credit: Carrie Devorah / WENN.com

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