MILFORD, N.H. (AP) — Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty says he supports House Republicans’ budget outline that makes cuts to the federal deficit as well as federal programs such as Medicare and Medicaid.

Pawlenty told reporters on Thursday that, if he were president, he would endorse the House lawmakers’ plan. He has been dogged in recent days about the plan, which Democrats’ say privatize sacrosanct federal programs.

He has faced yes-or-no questions about the plan, designed by Rep. Paul Ryan, a Wisconsin Republican. The GOP has embraced the budget and those who haven’t have faced harsh criticism. Pawlenty again said he would have his own budget plan to announce in recent weeks, before siding with Ryan.

One voter in Iowa called former House Speaker Newt Gingrich an embarrassment for his criticism of the budget.

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