Patrick served Irish roast at St. Patty’s Day breakfast

David Weber

Gov. Deval Patrick provided a huge target for the political jokesters at the annual St. Patrick’s Day breakfast Sunday, and he took the ribbing gracefully, displaying a tote board to tally the references to his pricey new drapes and Cadillac.

One by one, the pols stepped to the microphone to skewer Patrick after two months of political missteps surrounding his new state car, office decorations and helicopter rides.

When Patrick took his turn at the podium, he reflected on the eventful year that saw him rise from little-known candidate to landslide winner of the governor’s office.

“What a difference a year makes,” he said, noting he stood in the wings at last year’s St. Patrick’s celebration. “Last year, I got to stand and watch elected officials eat breakfast. Today, I get to sit with elected officials and be the breakfast.”

Patrick smartly poked fun at himself, saying he was glad this year’s event was moved to the spacious Boston Convention and Exhibition Center.

“I like this building because there’s plenty of parking,” he deadpanned. “There’s room enough for the Cadillac and the helicopter.”

Senate President Robert Travaglini kept the pressure on, claiming Patrick was so impressed with the East Boston Democrat’s sartorial taste that the governor designed his own line of clothing.

“As soon as we put the suit on, it all came apart at the seams,” said Travaglini, who remained coy about reports that he may leave office for a more lucrative private sector job.

Master of ceremonies state Sen. Jack Hart, D-Boston, briefly paused the barrage against Patrick to tell him everyone’s thoughts and prayers were with first lady Diane Patrick, who is being treated for depression. Patrick acknowledged the kind wishes as he opened his remarks.

Amid the wisecracks, Irish songs and stepdancing, the politicians and audience also stopped to observe a moment of silence for City Councilor James Kelly, who died of cancer in January after years as a fixture at the annual St. Patrick’s Day affair.

The good-natured jokes were polite compared with some years past. House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi, D-Boston, came the closest to viciousness as he sprayed the room with verbal shots.

Nodding toward Lt. Gov. Tim Murray, whose youthful face belies his 38 years, DiMasi said: “Timmy, what are you doing laughing over there? We’ll get you home in time for your nap.”

DiMasi then added, “The first time I was introduced to him, they told me he was the mayor of Worcester. I thought it was student government day at the State House.”

Then Murray took his turn at the pulpit and even he took a shot at Patrick. The lieutenant governor claimed he and his wife had been guests at Patrick’s opulent 24-room mansion in the Berkshires.

“The gift shop is awesome,” Murray said.

Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Joseph Biden, D-Del., was this year’s special guest. Hart joked about Biden’s presidential campaign opponent Hillary Clinton, saying a new popular bumper sticker was in town and it reads: “Run, Hillary, run.”

“The Democrats put it on the back of their cars, and the Republicans put it on the front of their cars,” he said.

Treasurer Tim Cahill took some heat after it leaked out that he paid the advertising firm Hill Holliday to write his jokes. Mining the gone-but-not-forgotten vein, Cahill held up a poster showing Republican presidential candidate and former Gov. Mitt Romney and his wife, Ann, standing next to Ken and Barbie dolls.

“The pictures really make them look lifelike. Ken and Barbie too,” Cahill said.

He also told a few good-news-bad-news jokes.

“The bad news is Massachusetts’ population continues to go down,” he said. “The good news is [New England Patriots quarterback] Tom Brady seems to be tackling the problem by himself.”

(Associated Press)