MOUNT VERNON, Iowa (October 17, 2012)--President Barack Obama Wednesday was criticizing Mitt Romney's approach to a pay equity law, the first bill Mr. Obama signed after taking office.

At the same time, a top Romney adviser now says he wrongly said Romney opposed that bill from the start.

The tussle was part of the emphasis both sides are putting on winning over women voters.

In Iowa Wednesday, Mr. Obama said Romney adviser Ed Gillespie admitted that Romney didn't support the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act.

After Tuesday night's debate, Gillespie told the Huffington Post that Romney initially opposed the bill.

Gillespie clarified in an email Wednesday, saying, "I was wrong" in saying so.

Romney did not take a position on the legislation as it moved through Congress in 2009.

He says he wouldn't repeal it.