Obama Calls into Public Radio Show Hosted by Gov. Deval Patrick

2 minute read

President Obama, who introduced himself as “Barack Obama, formerly of Somerville,” called into a Massachusetts radio show on Wednesday to praise his friend, the outgoing Gov. Deval Patrick.

“Governor, this is Barack Obama, formerly of Somerville and I’ve got a few complaints about service in and around the neighborhood,” President Obama said before noting that he had “moved down South since that time.”

Obama lived in the Boston area while attending Harvard Law School, but obviously now calls 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. home. There, mostly likely, “service” isn’t really an issue.

On the call, Patrick immediately asked if it was an impersonator.

“I want to find out how it is that you got Massachusetts so strong and moving in the right direction,” Obama quipped, mispronouncing the state name.

Patrick replied: “Mr. President, you know I love you, but you still have trouble saying Massachusetts. You know that don’t you?”

The President’s call came during Patrick’s final appearance as governor on Boston Public Radio, where a host didn’t hesitate to ask whether or not he had paid of the slew of parking tickets he had acquired while studying at Harvard. The President also wished listeners a happy holidays.

After he hung up, a host can be heard asking “Was that Jay Pharoah?” referencing the Saturday Night Live comedian who often impersonates Mr. Obama.

[WGBH]

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