President Pranks Kaine on Final “Ask the Governor” Show

Obama surprises Va. governor on WTOP

President Barack Obama channeled his inner Jerky Boy to send soon-to-be ex-Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine out with a chuckle Tuesday morning.

OK, he wasn't that bad. He simply called Kaine during his final appearance on WTOP radio's "Ask the Governor" show to offer a surprise goodbye to the Democrats' reign in the Virginia governor's mansion -- and a hello to Kaine as full-time chair of the Democratic National Committee. Introduced by host Mark Segraves as "Barry from D.C.," the president didn't try to keep up the ruse once his voice hit the air, but he did elicit laughter from Kaine.

"Gov. Kaine, this is actually the President of the United States calling," Obama said.

"No," Kaine chuckled. "Oh my gosh."

"I have questions about traffic in northern Virginia," Obama continued. "But rather than go there, I just wanted to say how proud we are of your service as governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia and wish you and the family all the best this Christmas season after just a terrific round of service for the people of Virginia."

Kaine said his happiest day as governor was the day Obama was elected, particularly because of the support of Virginia, which hadn't voted for a Democrat for president since 1964. And twice he expressed his pleasure with the weekend's health care reform compromise.

The two also paid tribute to their better halves.

"We continue to think that your wife is probably a little superior to you," Obama joked.

"Quite a bit superior," Kaine agreed.

"As I think people feel about the first lady," the president said, "but you and me have to stick together since we're married to better people."

Alas, the call wasn't spontaneous. The station worked for several months to arrange it, WTOP News Director Mike McMearty told the Associated Press.

Befitting the president's status, the call bumped WTOP's "traffic and weather on the eights" to a 10.

Kaine leaves the Virginia governor's office next month because Virginia restricts its governors to a single four-year term, but he will continue to serve in the DNC chair position Obama selected him for in January.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
Contact Us