ST. PAUL, Minn. — Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty is defending his budget approach and says that he balanced every one of his budgets.

The Republican presidential contender on Wednesday pitched himself as an economic pro and says his approach in Minnesota could help change Washington. He says he would cut the federal workforce and end "crony capitalism."

When asked about his handling of the state budget, he told reporters the budgets always were in the black. He isn't eager to bring up the mammoth deficit that was forecast for his successor's first budget.

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Pawlenty spoke to a conservative think tank in Washington as part of a week-long rollout of his White House run. His remarks were on the economy, a top concern of voters.

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