UPDATED: Asked to respond to Gov. Deval Patrick's recent refusal to rule out any new taxes, former independent gubernatorial candidate Christy Mihos characterized the governor's economic policies as drastically out of touch.

[img_assist|nid=659|title=Christy Mihos (I)|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=180|height=174]"You happen to be in a pretty down economy at this point," Mihos (I-Yarmouth) told PolitickerMA.com. "Anyone that is talking about new taxes is clueless in the commonwealth. You just don't raise prices or taxes in a down economy."

The Associated Press reported on Monday that Patrick (D-Milton) was noncommittal about whether jumpstarting the Massachusetts economy would require an increase in taxes.

"Over the next ten years we are going to need some additional revenue," Patrick told the AP. "Does that come in taxes? I don't know."

Mihos, who is considering running for governor against Patrick again in 2010, said Patrick is committing the classic folly many Massachusetts governors make when they are elected.

"Just like in previous administrations, they get in and they have these grandiose ideas," Mihos said. "Sometimes the economy is good and you go for them, but sometimes you just have to wait for a while to do them."

The convenience store chain owner pointed to the Big Dig during the Weld administration and universal health care during the Romney administration as two ambitious projects that spiraled out of control. Patrick's education reform agenda, Mihos said, is another example of a costly program with no funding.

"Deval is talking about education reform now," he said. "When you're in a down economy; people and businesses are leaving; and small businesses can't make it, you just don't do these things. You try to cut, try to make do with what you have as opposed to just going forward."

Mihos was respectful towards Patrick throughout the interview, often emphasizing that he believes governor does understand the economic challenges facing the country. But Mihos also stressed that he strongly disagrees with the way Patrick has chosen to address the state's fiscal woes.

Patrick has been adamant recently that he is seeking reelection in 2010 and Mihos said he welcomes the opportunity to challenge the governor on his record. In 2006, Mihos said, Patrick's "Together We Can" message made it increasingly difficult to pin him down on where he stood on specific issues.

"I debated this fellow many times throughout the state [in 2006] and it was like pulling teeth to get him to commit to a position or a plan," he said. "Now you see why. Those are difficult things to do but you have to do them. You have to let people know where you stand."

Patrick's lack of specificity during the 2006 race, Mihos said, gave way to under-preparedness when he took office.

"When the rubber hit the road," he said, "they weren't ready and it certainly hurt the commonwealth."

Mihos said Question 1 on the November ballot this year, a measure that would repeal the state's income tax, should serve as a indicator of where people stand. Mihos supports Question 1 and repealing the income tax.

"If Question 1 passes, the people are saying they want a different state," he said. "They're saying they're tired of the corruption and the one sided power structuring steamrolling them along."

Mihos said he "wishes the governor well" but that he should come to recognize the strain many families are under.

"They better stand up and take notice of what's happening to regular people in the commonwealth," he said. "When you look at all the fees, fines and taxes on taxpayers in the commonwealth right now, it's an incredible burden."