Rep. Bachmann stumps for Roy Blunt via Skype

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) was supposed to be on hand to help rally supporters for fellow Rep. Roy Blunt (R) in Missouri over the weekend, but after she was briefly hospitalized for what her office called a sudden illness, she campaigned for Blunt via Skype instead. 

Appearing on a large video screen at Blunt's campaign headquarters, Bachmann ripped Secretary of State Robin Carnahan (D) and encouraged President Obama to make "15 more trips" to Missouri on Carnahan's behalf. 

Bachmann's support has caused a stir amongst some Tea Party activists in the state, who are backing Blunt opponent, state Sen. Chuck Purgason in Tuesday's Republican primary. 

According to the St. Louis Beacon, a couple of dozen protesters rallied outside Blunt's campaign headquarters protesting Bachmann's backing of Blunt.

Blunt and his campaign — and Bachmann's staff — denied that her change of plans about Saturday's visit had anything to do with the opposition of at least 30 Missouri Tea Party groups to Bachmann's decision to campaign for Blunt.

About two dozen Tea Party activists waved signs critical of Blunt and Washington just outside the Sunset Hills building housing his campaign headquarters, as well as a satellite office for the Missouri Republican Party. Declared one sign: "No more RINOS," (Republicans in Name Only).

Bachmann is chair of the House's recently formed Tea Party Caucus, which boasts close to 30 Republican House members.

Blunt faces a field of eight Republicans in Tuesday's primary, but none have been able to gain much traction against him. The last poll in the Republican primary had Blunt ahead of Purgason 62 percent to 13 percent.