King to speak at pal Bachmann's picnic

Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) will headline a picnic for colleague and fellow Tea Partier Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) Tuesday.

This morning, King tweeted:

I'll be delivering the keynote at a large Michele Bachmann picnic at 5:00 today at Lake Elmo, MN.

The two are known as allies on the Hill — cowriting op-eds, sharing a press assistant and, in Bachmann's case, suggesting King as a potential GOP presidential candidate.

“Steve King is mentioned as a potential nominee [for president]," Bachmann said last year. "I have a very high opinion of Steve King and his ability, so I would encourage him to consider any position for higher office."

Bachmann consistently uses one descriptor — "stunning" — to describe King on the House floor and to the press.

"To the stunning gentleman from Iowa, the great Steve King, I want to thank you for allowing me to be a part of this discussion that you’re broaching," she said on Sept. 17, 2009, during a floor debate on healthcare reform.