TORRANCE, Calif. (AP) — Gov. Jerry Brown says Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney ought to rethink his comments about California after comparing the state to struggling European nations.

While visiting a Frito-Lay distribution center near Los Angeles on Thursday, Brown dismissed Romney's remarks as inaccurate in light of California's relatively manageable debt burden and economic wealth.

Brown's comments came a day after Romney jokingly compared California to debt-burdened European countries such as Greece and Spain during a campaign stop in Iowa. Brown said the comment was (quote) "just silly."

He noted that California is the world's ninth largest economy. Unlike nations, which can run deficits, California must adopt a balanced budget each year.