Massachusetts governor defends record in TV town hall forum

Patrick answered 15 questions during the hour-long meeting attended by 300 residents and more who joined via the Twitter online service.

Patrick promised that the economy was "cyclical" and would bounce back, and he vowed not to raise either the state income tax or sales tax.

"We are in a global economic crisis," he told the crowd in his opening remarks. "That crisis has come home to Massachusetts. Now every individual, every family, every not-for-profit, and every business is facing unprecedented challenge and uncertainty."

The forum was structured much like the presidential debates last year. The audience questions were mostly focused on education and transportation.