(CNN) - Republican presidential candidate Tim Pawlenty will air a new ad Wednesday in Iowa touting his history of "results, not rhetoric" as governor of neighboring Minnesota.
The 30-second spot chronicles the state's transit strike in 2004 and government shutdown in 2005 while he was governor as examples of his willingness to stand up to labor unions and Democrats in the state's legislature.
"Governor Tim Pawlenty refused to cave into government unions. Result? Pawlenty won," the ad says. "Tim Pawlenty would not accept Democrats' massive tax-and-spending demands. Result? Pawlenty won."
Spokesman Alex Conant said the ad is "part of the effort to introduce him to Iowa and tell his story of winning big fights in Minnesota."
"Our belief is that as voters learn more about Gov. Pawlenty's record of conservative results, they will support him," Conant said.
The spot in the first-in-the-nation caucus state is the second wave of ads for the White House hopeful and comes as the Minnesota government enters the fifth day of a shutdown over budget disagreements.
With a $1.4 billion budget gap, Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton wants to raise taxes on the wealthiest 1.9 percent of Minnesotans and cut spending. Republican state lawmakers will not accept a tax hike.
The Democratic National Committee responded to the Pawlenty ad with a "fact check" criticizing his past in Minnesota.
"Minnesota lost millions, and thousands of state workers lost wages during the government shutdown," the release read.
– CNN Deputy Political Director Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report.
From CNN Politics
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We've heard enough of his lying rhetoric - we've SEEN the results of his governorship (fallen bridges, bankrupted state).
That's smart. Tell Iowa that you couldn't get a budget passed when you were Governor which will remind them that MN currently is shutdown because of the impasse over the current Governor and legislature trying to fix the 6 billion dollar deficit you left behind.
this guy is an idiot, that's all I can tell. o.k, GOP's main intention is to repeal Health Care, Fin. Reg. Reform, send Americans to Wars, Make money out of war contracts, just like Halliburton....ha!!!!No ethics, no standards, no national integrity, no nothing....they messed this nation enough, we need Education, Infrastructure, Energy-Independence, Public transportation, etc, Not GOP idiots tricks....to get elected to elevated positions....greed, greed, greed, needs to be stopped....Obama2012!!!!
"Tim Pawlenty would not accept Democrats' massive tax-and-spending demands. Result? Pawlenty won."
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That statement is 100% the truth. It depends upon how you define victory. Like most supplicants to the Trickle-Down religion, Mr. Pawlenty's instituted a policy of "tax cut and spend".
Mr. Pawlenty 'balanced' his books by taking money from money earmarked for education and health care. Minnesota currently has a multi-billion dollar deficit as a result. Oh yeah, the state government had to shut down last week because it was broke.
And this, ladies and gents, is the story of the couple of times Pawlenty managed to do a thing.
Pawlenty is using the unions as a whipping boy. Shame on him for using class warfare tactics. Shame on him for leaving Minnesota in an economic mess.
so just like so many "caring" Republicans it doesn't matter to Pawlenty that in his home state of Minnesota, which he left in financial shambles" that thousands of federal wokers are laid off, some elderly and low income won't get their checks, battered women shelters have closed just so the GOP can make a point. And some want THIS guy for POTUS? I don't think so.
What's wrong with these repugs and their failed policies of trickledowness which have failed time and time again. Even their idol Reagan knew this policy couldn't work when he implement tax cuts that's why he rushed to raise taxes 11 times.
Yep, Minnesota is still prospering, oh wait, what? They're near banckruptcy and had to shut down again? Great job Mr. Pawlenty, they still haven't recovered from your tenure.
That Right Pawlenty was GOV of Minnesota and let It with Billions dollars In dept and bridges Fallen and that right Pawlenty won ,but Minnesota lost. Is this the kind of man that you want to ran this Country. He will ran It In the ground, while he give the RICH and BIG BUSINESS all he can.
Nope didn't cave to unions, but did a fair job of leaving the state in financial ruins... Great job Timmy! Brag that up....
Feel free to vote for this clown if you want the same for the US. Fortunately, I'm sure you'll be in the minority!
This has just become downright embarrassing for Tim Pawlenty. Seems like somebody close to him would have a talk with this guy..
With the liberal ideology given its run with 110% support during the Obama Administration, American voters see now that it does not work. It does not create real jobs that would help the economy. It creates government jobs that just take resources away from the productive economy.
Americans are finally becoming aware of the very real threat to our future resulting from the exploding national debt. They know it will soon overwhelm any chance of sustained economic recovery. And they know that just continuing to increase the debt ceiling is not the answer. There still is some sense of responsibility to what we leave for future generations of Americans.
Conservative credentials will win 2012. Pawlenty knows that and has picked a focus to win. But he is up against formidable competition and I'm not talking about Obama.
Tim Pawlenty: "Let's all be an overly-religious house of cards!"
Hey, Republicans.. If raising taxes will "kill" jobs, than tax cuts must be the solution to creating jobs, right? Well where are the jobs that Bush's 2003 tax cuts created? Obama even allowed those tax breaks to stay on the books for an extended period of time and STILL no jobs. Republicans take back Congress in 2010 and STILL no jobs. Obama is doing the best he can, with what he has, and what he has is Republicans trying all they can to turn America into a land of surfs and land owners.
Pawlenty is a failure. He screwed our state time and time again. He failed in all sectors especially education. I can't tell you how many millions of dollars he owes the MN education system, between failing to pay them and then "borrowing" to fund his pet projects.
What Tim Pawlenty won is the disgust of people in his state! Minnesota is in a huge mess because of him and I sincerely hope he goes down in flames in this campaign...that's what he deserves.