Obama calls during ‘Ask the Governor’ show

BOSTON — Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick has fielded hundreds of calls during his monthly “Ask the Governor” radio show. But this one was different.

One caller said Thursday: “Uh, governor, this is Barack Obama, formerly of Somerville.”

The president was indeed calling into the show on WGBH-FM to congratulate Patrick, a friend and political ally who’s wrapping up two terms in office.

Obama lived in Somerville, a Boston suburb, while attending Harvard Law School.

During the call, the president had a little bit of fun with Patrick.

“I’ve got a few complaints about service in and around the neighborhood, but I’ve moved down south since that time,” Obama said.

Patrick, the state’s first black governor, at first seemed unconvinced that it was really Obama on the phone. And he gently chided the president for having trouble saying “Massachusetts.”

It was Patrick’s final radio show. He leaves office on Jan. 8.

ASSOCIATED PRESS