Turkey Chosen for Bush Likely to Get Reprieve

DES MOINES — A 45-pound turkey chosen as a Thanksgiving gift for President Bush from the National Turkey Federation is expected to get the kinder, gentler treatment for the holiday.

If past practice is followed, the bird chosen from 23,000 hatched in April on Donald Daufeldt’s West Liberty farm is likely to end up in a petting zoo--not in the White House kitchen.

The presidential pick is a lively creature. “We’re trying to subdue him now, but he’s pretty big and pretty feisty,” Daufeldt said. “I’d be flustered if I were him.”