Sarah Palin’s legendary Thanksgiving interview, in which she gave a post-mortem on her candidacy for vice president when a turkey was slaughtered behind her, has resurfaced.
While half the country mourned Kamala Harris’ election defeat three weeks ago, they harkened back to a simpler time sixteen years ago – long before Donald Trump.
It was November 20, 2008, and Barrack Obama and Joe Biden had just convincingly defeated John McCain in the election, after eight years of Republican dominance.
McCain, faced with an uphill battle against the future first black president and a country that wanted big changes after George W. Bush, made the fateful decision to choose Palin as his vice president.
The unknown governor of Alaska was completely outmatched and produced a wad of bizarre statements and train wreck interviews.
One of her most famous, and the perfect antidote to Democrats reliving a time when they won, was when Palin licked her wounds in Alaska.
Palin was at Triple D Farm & Hatchery outside Wasilla, where she pardoned a turkey as part of her duties as governor.
What they, nor the audience, did not see coming was that the fate of the unfortunate second bird, which everyone knows but never sees, would become visible immediately behind her.
Sarah Palin’s legendary Thanksgiving interview, in which she gave a post-mortem on her vice presidential candidacy when a turkey was slaughtered behind her, has resurfaced
As Palin answered questions, a farm worker slit the turkey’s neck, bled it dry and twisted off its head – all while in the camera’s field of view.
The worker knew what he was doing, even saw Palin talking as he did the deed, flashing a wide grin for the cameras.
Reporters seemed unsure if Palin knew what was happening behind her, and asked if she was comfortable with the background. She replied, ‘don’t worry!’
“I was happy to be invited to take part in this, and, you know, first of all, you need a little bit of levity in this job, especially with so much that’s happened in the last few months that has been so, um, political , um, obviously, that it’s fun to go out and do something to promote a local business and, and to just participate in something that’s not. Eh, heavy-handed politics that invites criticism,’ she said in the same breath.
“Sure, we’ll probably get criticized for doing this, but at least this was fun.”
Palin gave candid answers about her candidacy, which was now as dead as the turkey behind her, blood dripping down the farm worker’s hand.
‘I don’t think it changed me at all. I have the same values, beliefs, positions and policies,” she said as the turkey butcher stared at her.
‘I think I just have a greater appreciation for what other candidates go through. You know, it’s pretty brutal considering the time spent there and the energy that has to be expended to go out on a national level with a message.
‘Great appreciation for other candidates who have experienced this, but also just a great appreciation for this great country.
Palin was asked if she had any plans for the future now that she was vice president, when the man returned and loaded the turkey into a slaughter chute for processing.
Anthony Schmidt (left), owner of Triple D Farm and Hatchery, holds the turkey that was pardoned by Alaska Governor Sarah Palin
“There are so many good Americans who just long for their government to get out of the way a little bit and give them a chance to grow and progress, and give our businesses a chance to grow and progress.” So great appreciation for those who share that value.
‘And it was great. Every day it was just a party out there.’
By the time Palin finished that answer, the farmhand had finished his grim work and carried the carcass off-screen. But it wasn’t over yet.
Palin was then asked if she had any plans for the future now that she was vice president, when the man returned and loaded the turkey into a slaughter chute for processing.
“You know, the plans just include going through the budget process that we’re going through right now,” Palin said.
“Building the state budget based on the price of oil that has fallen so much and curbing the growth of the government and such plans that have to do with helping to govern this state and building a team that is continually being built up to to provide good service to Alaskans.
“So in my role as governor, those are my plans.”