As a gubernatorial candidate, Mark Dayton had few good things to say about the $3 million Minnesota Trade Office.

"Since I am not running for President, I will not need a Trade Office to support my international trade junkets, aimed at improving my presidential "gravitas." Appropriate hosting of international trade delegations will be handled through the Governor's Office," he wrote in his September 2010 budget plan, taking a whack at then Gov. Tim Pawlenty, a Republican now running for president.

Nine months later, Gov. Dayton has become a fierce defender of that very same office.

"This bill eliminates the Minnesota Trade Office, which is unacceptable to me. The Trade office provides vitally important services to many Minnesota businesses, such as training and consulting on how to export their products," Dayton wrote in a letter vetoing Republican lawmakers' Jobs and Economic Development Finance bill. "I insist on continuing the funding for this important office."

Dayton spokeswoman Katharine Tinucci said the governor's interest during the campaign was to have the office be as effective and efficient as possible by moving it into the governor's office. But he hasn't proposed that move.

Earlier this year, Dayton moved his former campaign finance chair in run the trade office, according to Minnesota Public Radio.