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Democrats in two states are blasting Governor Tim Pawlenty as he campaigns in Virginia today for that state's Republican gubernatorial candidate.

Pawlenty was scheduled to headline a fundraiser for Bob McDonnell and attend two other campaign events. McDonnell has been trying to distance himself from a 20-year-old college thesis, in which he wrote that working women and feminists were detrimental to traditional families. Despite McDonnell's renouncement of the paper, officials with the Democratic Party of Virginia and the Minnesota DFL held a conference call with reporters to question whether Pawlenty shares McDonnell's views. DFL Associate Chair Donna Cassutt said Pawlenty's support of McDonnell is concerning.

"He's out in Virginia today shelling for a closed-minded, misogynistic candidate, and really basically selling his soul to further his ambition, which is an affront to all of us who fought long and hard for women's equality," Cassutt said.

Pawlenty responded to the issue before he left for Virginia. He told reporters Tuesday in Eden Prairie that he was comfortable campaigning with McDonnell.

"He is saying that was a long time ago and that he's modified or evolved his thinking on those things," Pawlenty said.

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Tim Pugmire

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Pawlenty says he's comfortable with McDonnell.

Democrats criticize Pawlenty’s support of Virginia candidate

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