Obama Adviser Critical Of Pawlenty

CHICAGO (AP) -- A top adviser to President Barack Obama says former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty left his own state with a deficit but now wants to counsel the rest of the country on financial matters.

David Axelrod says the GOP presidential hopeful would have been "well served" to take care of the finances of his own state.

Axelrod talked to reporters Tuesday after attending a fundraiser for the Chicago facility for the developmentally disabled where his adult daughter lives. Pawlenty is in the city on Tuesday to roll out some of his economic policies at the University of Chicago, not far from Obama's South Side home.

Axelrod called Pawlenty's visit to Chicago "good stage craft." He says Pawlenty wants to "replay" the same formula that got the country into a financial jam.

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