Perceived front-runner finds a target on his back

Deval L. Patrick had the most to lose in last night's debate, and he looked like it.

Positioned between two rivals trying to knock him off his perch, Patrick was clearly the constant focus -- and target -- of the hourlong forum.

All the attention did not seem to sit well with Patrick, who grew defensive at times and occasionally punchy. And at some points, he just seemed eager for the whole thing to be over.

Although the televised face-off on CBS4 was not as explosive as last week's debate, the testiness revealed much about the current dynamic of the race.

Patrick is aiming to hold onto what appears to be at least a modest lead in the polls. Christopher F. Gabrieli is trying to break through with a message that Patrick is not the right man to take on Republican Kerry Healey. And Thomas F. Reilly appeared mainly eager to repair the damage from his performance of a week ago, during which he seemed off-point and whiny.

Some of the sharpest exchanges came on the question of whether to roll the income tax rate back to 5 percent, which Reilly supports doing now, Gabrieli supports doing gradually, and Patrick does not support.

``Where I disagree with you, Deval, is that's sort of a can't-do -- here's what you can't do," Gabrieli said. ``I've put forward a plan that is a can-do plan."

Patrick shot back, ``You love the world of theory, and I live in the real world."

``Forgive me for feeling I have a lot of experience in doing budgets, but I've been doing it all my life," Gabrieli retorted.

At another moment, Patrick got a chance to go on offense by asking a question to the other candidates, so he castigated Gabrieli and Reilly for what he called personal attacks in recent days.

``There's been a lot of nasty and negative stuff," Patrick said. ``And I just wonder what that says about your character and your leadership."

That's when the lectures really started. Reilly, in his fifth campaign for elective office, seemed floored, telling Patrick that one couldn't be so sensitive in a political campaign.

``Just because someone is asking those questions doesn't mean that there's anything wrong with that," said Reilly, who has run television ads questioning what Patrick and Gabrieli were hiding in not disclosing more information about their careers in business.

Gabrieli could hardly wait to chime in.

``I don't apologize for saying you're not for rolling taxes back and I [am]," said Gabrieli, who ran unsuccessfully for Congress in 1998 and for lieutenant governor in 2002. ``That's not rude. That's not insulting."

Gabrieli then proceeded to make sure he mentioned the three issues -- taxes, in-state tuition for the children of illegal immigrants, and charter schools -- that he believes can help him beat Patrick on Tuesday.

Perhaps revealing more than he intended about how he views his chances, Reilly then unwittingly branded Patrick the likely primary winner by saying, ``What do you think is going to happen when the Republicans get a shot at you?"

Gabrieli, in his most pointed attack of the night, chose to chide Patrick for attacking his wealth when Patrick himself was building an expansive home in the Berkshires.

In response to Patrick's criticism of the millions he has poured into his campaign, Gabrieli said: ``You know, we're both spending millions this summer. You've been spending it on a summer home. I've been spending it on something I care deeply about -- fighting for Massachusetts."

And then Gabrieli added his punchline: ``I don't think people who live in glass mansions should throw stones."

``A well-rehearsed line," Patrick added sardonically.

Moderator Jon Keller interjected: ``Are you ready to move on? Let's do it."

``Absolutely," Patrick said audibly, clearly relieved the awkward exchange was over.

Scott Helman can be reached at shelman@globe.com.