Gov. Patrick dismisses travel criticism

BOSTON (AP) - Gov. Deval Patrick is dismissing criticism from Republicans that he has been spending too much time out of state while campaigning for President Barack Obama.

Patrick, during an unscheduled visit to the Statehouse press gallery on Monday, said he was "governor all the time," and was always connected and engaged to the job even when out of town.

The governor spent last Friday and Saturday campaigning for Obama in North Carolina and Virginia.

Of his critics, the governor said: "I'm glad they missed me."

He also accused them of "playing politics" and said he would ask them if they were finding time to do their own jobs.

Cox Media Group