It's a lucky day for Apple and Cider.

President Obama pardoned the pair of 21-week-old, 45-pound turkeys at today's pre-Thanksgiving Day ceremony -- and made a crack about this month's Election Day debacle for the Democrats.

"For the record, let me say, it feels pretty good to stop at least one shellacking this November," Obama joked during this morning's Rose Garden event.

Obama -- who saw his party lose at least 63 U.S. House seats and six Senate slots in the Nov. 2 election -- also joked about the fact that Apple and Cider spent part of the week at Washington's posh W Hotel.

"It's great advertising," Obama said. "Makes you want to stay at the W."

This was the 63rd version of the National Thanksgiving Turkey program at the White House, often an occasion for smiles and good-natured jokes, especially from the pardoning presidents.

"You know, there are certain days that remind me of why I ran for this office," Obama said at the ceremony a year ago. "And then there are moments like this -- where I pardon a turkey and send it to Disneyland."

Last year's honoree, Courage, did in fact go to Disneyland, where he participated in the Thanksgiving Day parade.

This year's pardoned turkey, Apple, and his alternate, Cider, will be on display during "Christmas at Mount Vernon," and will live out the rest of their days at the livestock facility on George Washington's old estate.

Obama also cracked wise about the competition that brought today's turkeys to the White House.

"It's kind of like a turkey version of Dancing With The Stars, except the stakes for the contestants was much higher," Obama said. "Only one pair would survive and win the big prize: life."

The turkey ceremony at the White House began with President Harry Truman, but the birds in question didn't receive official pardons until President George H.W. Bush.

Some more history, courtesy of Obama's remarks last year:

Now, the National Turkey Federation has been bringing its finest turkeys to the White House for more than 50 years. I'm told Presidents Eisenhower and Johnson actually ate their turkeys. You can't fault them for that; that's a good-looking bird. President Kennedy was even given a turkey with a sign around its neck that said, "Good Eatin', Mr. President." But he showed mercy and he said, "Let's keep him going." And 20 years ago this Thanksgiving, the first President Bush issued the first official presidential pardon for a turkey.

Some more background on today's White House ceremony:

President Obama will pardon the National Thanksgiving Turkey in a ceremony in the Rose Garden. The President will celebrate the 63rd anniversary of the National Thanksgiving Turkey presentation, reflect upon the time-honored traditions of Thanksgiving, and wish American families a warm, safe, and healthy holiday. The President will pardon Apple and its alternate Cider, both 21-week old, 45-pound turkeys. The names of the turkeys were chosen from over 200 submissions from California school children who participated in California's Agriculture in the Classroom program where they learned about how the National Thanksgiving Turkey was raised. After the pardoning, the turkeys will be driven to George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens. The National Thanksgiving Turkey will be on display for visitors during "Christmas at Mount Vernon," a special program through January 6. After the holidays, the National Thanksgiving Turkey and its alternate will live in a custom-made enclosure at Mount Vernon's nationally recognized livestock facility. Both birds were raised on Foster Farms Wellsford Ranch outside of Modesto, California, under the supervision of National Turkey Federation Chairman Yubert Envia. Ira Brister of Foster Farms will handle the turkey during the ceremony. Jaindl's Turkey Farm in Orefield, Pa., gave President Obama's family two dressed turkeys that will be donated to Martha's Table, a local organization that helps feed and clothe those in need.

(Posted by David Jackson)