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Martiga Lohn
St. Louis Park, Minn. (AP)

Pawlenty, Emmer warn of a Dayton win in Minnesota

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Outgoing Gov. Tim Pawlenty and GOP gubernatorial nominee Tom Emmer worked to motivate Republicans on Sunday by warning that a win by Democrat Mark Dayton in the governor's race could quickly unravel conservative policies in Minnesota, perhaps for several years.

Pawlenty, a potential 2012 presidential candidate who has been campaigning for Emmer, warmed up a crowd of about 200 GOP activists at a recreation center in St. Louis Park. Pawlenty said he was brushing his teeth when the possibility of a Dayton administration crossed his mind, and his reaction was, "Are you kidding me?"

"All the results, all the progress we've made over these last eight years is going to get washed away in about six months," Pawlenty told a full conference room. "And so when you think about that, I hope that motivates you even more."

Emmer, a state lawmaker, and Pawlenty clasped hands in a long handshake as Emmer took the podium, also with a warning about what a loss would mean. He said Democrats could control the redrawing of political boundaries before the 2012 election, making it more difficult for Republicans to win statewide offices and put together legislative majorities. Emmer said it could take Republicans decades to battle back.

"This is not a four-year election, ladies and gentlemen. This is a four-decade election," Emmer said.

Emmer has trailed Dayton, a former U.S. senator, in independent polls, though he appeared to be gaining ground in a Star Tribune Minnesota Poll published Sunday.

The governor's race is entering the home stretch with eight days left before Election Day, drawing big names to Minnesota. President Barack Obama appeared at a rally Saturday in Minneapolis with Dayton. Next Saturday, Emmer and Pawlenty will rally in Blaine with Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie.

Emmer said his message of limited government is giving him a surge just as voters are making final decisions. Sunday's rally also featured running mate Annette Meeks and GOP candidates for secretary of state, auditor, local legislative seats and Congress.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)