Brown shows how to work Southie roast

Dina Rudick/Globe Staff

Governor Deval Patrick told a few jokes before singing a song yesterday for those attending the annual St. Patrick's Day breakfast and political roast in South Boston.

By Glen Johnson, Globe Staff

The South Boston St. Patrick's Day political roast has long had the reputation as the preeminent place to hear political wit, but lately it's also veered toward a cross between "American Idol" and a politicians' gag slide show.

House Speaker Robert DeLeo showed yesterday — and last week in an expletive-filled appearance in Salem — he's among those who still get the drill. And so did Senator Scott Brown.

In a joked-filled routine, the Republican skewered both Democrats and the GOP alike, as well as himself.

Read my full story here.

In the first of two moments that triggered laughs but actually were full of meaning, Brown mentioned the state's traveling governor, Deval Patrick, and said of the Democrat: "Honestly, really, I’m so glad that the governor is here, because if he wasn’t here, he'd actually be out trying to recruit another candidate to run against me.”

At another point, as the crowd laughed at some of his tart criticism, Brown alluded to his coming re-election campaign as he said with a laugh himself: "I figured I might as well start. I’m going to get the you-know-what kicked out of me soon, so hey, why not?”

Glen Johnson can be reached at johnson@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @globeglen.