Palin seeks to boost Bachmann at rally for Minnesota lawmaker

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (R) asked Minnesota voters on Wednesday to do the U.S. a favor by reelecting Rep. Michele Bachmann (R) to the House.

In a speech before a campaign rally in Minnesota, Palin rallied conservatives for the lightning rod congresswoman, calling specifically on conservative "Tea Party" participants and women to turn out for Bachmann.

"Do the rest of the nation a favor and keep her serving all of us in the United States Congress," Palin said. "If you want something done right for this country, then please reelect Michele Bachmann for the rest of us."

Palin drew heavily on gender in her speech, noting the number of women in Congress and the Tea Party movement who have spoken out in the healthcare battle in recent months.

"This year a lot of conservative women like Michele, they're speaking out and standing up for commonsense conservative solutions," the 2008 GOP vice presidential nominee said. "Now it is Michele who is leading the charge to replace this thing. Thankfully Michele is part of that loyal opposition in Washington."

Bachmann is facing a tough reelection battle for a third term in Congress after surviving a late challenge by Democrat El Tinklenberg in 2008. Minnesota state Sen. Tarryl Clark (D) is hoping to beat Bachmann this fall, and has raised $1.1 million to date for her campaign.

Bachmann talked up change, especially to the healthcare bill signed into law by President Barack Obama, in her speech preceding Palin. Bachmann's rally also featured appearances by Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R), and Reps. John Kline (R-Minn.) and Erik Paulsen (R-Minn.).

"I am so honored to let you know that what we have observed the last two years in Gov. Sarah Palin is a woman of such extraordinary fortitude," Bachmann said. "Part of it is that she is so much one of us."

Bachmann also touched on the theme of "repeal and replace" on which Republicans have sought to run on healthcare.

"You better believe it, baby," Bachmann promised voters. "Repeal is what this girl is going to be all about after November."

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