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Gov 'embarrassed' by WTKK, 'disappointed' by Severin's return

E-mail|Link June 4, 2009 05:54 PM

By Martin Finucane, Globe Staff

Governor Deval Patrick, in his first monthly appearance on WTKK-FM since it reinstated talk show host Jay Severin, said today that he was "disappointed, frankly, that the station chose to let him resume broadcasting this week" after his derogatory comments about Mexicans.

Governor Deval Patrick

"It made me embarrassed to be associated with this station," Patrick said on the air, describing Severin's comments as "hateful and hurtful" and "way over the line."

On April 30 during the height of the swine flu panic, Severin described Mexicans as "primitives" and "leeches" and called Mexico an exporter of "women with mustaches and VD." To listen to audio clips of the comments, click here.

Severin returned to his afternoon time slot on Tuesday and read a "sincere apology" for what he characterized as "hurtful, unkind, and wrong" remarks. To listen to Severin's on-air apology, click here.

Patrick did not address the comments when he appeared on the station for his Ask the Governor segment on May 13 during Severin's suspension. Patrick returned to the show today because he said he believed Severin's apology was sincere.

"I read and I appreciated his apology and I'm here because I believe his apology is sincere," Patrick said before continuing with his hourlong appearance on "Ask the Governor with Jim and Margery."

The station issued a statement, saying, "We respect Governor Patrick's opinion and are honored to provide him with the opportunity to speak to our valued listeners each month."