governor says the tradition has outlived its usefulness. just as a whole crop of 2016 wannabes are making their presidential ambitions known. nbc s deputy political editor dominick montenaro. the turkey pardon, jfk was the first president to save the birds, correct? well, he s the first one to pardon a thanksgiving turkey. lincoln is actually the first one to pardon a turkey in general. and that was a christmas turkey given to him to be eaten but his son took a liking to it, so they decided to keep him around. look at that. another abe lincoln story. abe lincoln is so hot right now in the news. let s talk a little bit about 2016. which we are all gearing towards now. iowa governor terry branstad said i think the straw poll has outlived its usefulness.