PORTLAND -- Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick launched a verbal assault on Hillary Clinton just minutes before voters entered their precinct caucuses.

Speaking to nearly 3,000 people at Portland High School either in the same room or others watching on television, Patrick, an Obama supporter, went after Clinton on her experience, her vote on Iraq and health-care in a way that Patrick has not done before.

"When it came to the war in Iraq one candidate listened to her pollster, the other listened t[img_assist|nid=829|title=Gov. Deval Patrick (D-MA) and Maine House Speaker Glenn Cummings at Portland caucus|desc=Photo by James Pindell|link=none|align=left|width=400|height=360]o his conscience," he said.

His comments come at a time when Obama is gaining momentum in the Democratic race for president, but the race, overall, is tied in terms of delegates.

Patrick also claimed that "Obama has twice as much legislative experience as his other opponent".

U.S. Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.) spoke for Clinton before Patrick, but it was basically a positive speech.