President Obama Surprises Gov. Patrick on Last 'Ask the Governor' Show

Photo credits: President Barack Obama via whitehouse.gov and Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick via Meredith Nierman/WGBH.

Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick had a surprise caller on his last “Ask the Governor” show Thursday on Boston Public Radio.

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

The 44th President of the United States went on to praise Patrick for creating jobs and balancing the budget, as well as for his commitments to education, healthcare access and clean-energy jobs, during his eight-year run in office.

“You’ve gotten people involved,” the president said, “made people believe in civic engagement, and I know that’s what you’re all about.”

Patrick did not seek reelection this year. He’ll be succeeded by Governor-elect Charlie Baker, a Republican who defeated Democrat Martha Coakley in November.

Obama and Patrick did have some fun on the call.

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

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

Obama said there’s “a little lisp thing that develops” when he says the word.

Co-host Jim Braude asked the president if he paid all of his Somerville parking tickets.

“You know what, I think I had to before I took office,” Obama said. “Otherwise I wouldn’t have been able to step into the Commonwealth without being arrested.”

Obama congratulated Patrick on the recent success of the Red Sox and Patriots.

“The Celtics is another story,” he said. “We’ll have a longer conversation about that sometime.”

Patrick joined WGBH’s Boston Public Radio monthly for his “Ask the Governor” show.