Gov. Baker, Mayor Walsh Talk Political 'Bromance'
BOSTON (CBS) - Some are calling it a political 'bromance.'
The unlikely partnership and friendship between Democratic Mayor Marty Walsh and Republican Governor Charlie Baker is unusual in this day and age of partisanship and bickering. During a Politico breakfast in Boston, Walsh and Baker were asked what was the first thing they said when they greeted each other in the lobby before heading into this morning's breakfast.
"I said I wanted to thank him so much for being here today and I really appreciated the respect he showed me by being so late getting here," Baker answers.
Walsh fires back, "I asked him if he was wearing makeup!"
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Kim Tunnicliffe reports
Mayor Walsh says it was actually the weather this past winter that bonded the two politicians.
Walsh explains, "What really happened was in the first few weeks of the governor's governorship was we started to get ten feet of snow. And there was a lot of conversation about sharing resources. Literally we talked every single day because I was dealing with it on a city-wide level and he was dealing with it on a state-wide level. How do we try to use the resources the best we can? So you have that relationship and anything that happens, each city and state affect each other. What's happening in Boston affects the state, and what's happening in the state affects Boston."
The Mayor was asked where the good feelings end and the differences come into play between the two men. He playfully answers, "If we don't start getting more local aid I'm going to go after him. They have all kinds of money up there. That's a joke! That's not for a headline!"
Governor Baker hedged a bit about whether he'll be supporting Walsh when it comes time for reelection. He responds, "I don't know if that will help him or hurt him. I certainly am obviously a fan of the mayor as a person and as a public official, but I'm really focused on my job and I know he is on his. I don't know if it would help him or hurt him! I really don't!"
Both Governor Baker and Mayor Walsh were asked whether they'll be watching tonight's Republican debate.
"I'm going to DVR it. I don't think I get home in time to watch the debate tonight," Baker says.
"Oh, we're on Dan Rea! We're not watching anything," Walsh remembers.
That's right! The two BFFs will be on The Dan Rea Show tonight on WBZ NewsRadio 1030.
