ATLANTIC, Iowa (AP) — Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty says President Barack Obama’s previous job as a community organizer didn’t prepare him for the job. And the Republican presidential candidate says Iowa shouldn’t repeat the mistake of voting for another charismatic politician who lacks experience. That was an obvious reference to Pawlenty’s homestate rival, Michele Bachmann, in the race for the GOP nomination.

Pawlenty lags in polls and has questioned the congresswoman’s experience as he’s sought to derail her in the GOP race. He is telling residents not to repeat the mistakes of 2008, when Obama’s win in Iowa began his pathway to the presidency.