Gov. Deval Patrick invited to Obama's State Dinner

Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick has a pair of the hottest tickets in Washington.

The Democrat and his wife, Diane, have been invited to Tuesday's State Dinner at the White House in honor of Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Only 140 people can attend, and President Barack Obama has to fill much of the crowd according to political and diplomatic protocol. It is the first State Dinner of his administration.

But Patrick told The Associated Press on Monday "there are others that just get included, and we got included and we're looking forward to it."

Patrick and Obama share roots in Chicago, graduation from Harvard Law School and several of the same top political advisers.

After their visit to Washington, the Patricks are heading to Atlanta for Thanksgiving.