Sarah Palin, Michele Bachmann Rally Thousands in Minneapolis
CBS
Thousands of conservatives flocked to the Minneapolis convention center Wednesday afternoon for a rally on behalf of Rep. Michele Bachmann and former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, two heroes of the Tea Party movement.
Though the rally was for Bachmann's reelection campaign, the controversial Minnesota lawmaker was the warm up act for Palin, who told an enthusiastic crowd that "the tea party is growin' and steamin.'"
Introducing Palin, Bachmann, clad in a striking yellow jacket, told the audience: "She is so much one of us."
Before Bachmann's speech, the two women emerged onstage together to the song "This One's for the Girls," by Martina McBride. In her remarks, Palin said studies had shown many of the Tea Party leaders are women.
Bachmann said more than 11,000 tickets had been distributed for the event, adding: "Take that liberals!"
She went on to criticize the Obama administration for its new nuclear weapons policy.
"So if in fact there is a nation who is compliant with all the rules ahead of time...if they fire against the United States, a biological weapon, a chemical weapon, or maybe a cyber attack, then we aren't going to be firing back with nuclear weapons," said Bachmann. "Doesn't that make us all feel safe?"
She stated her support for repealing the health care reform bill, saying "repeal is what this girl is going to be all about after November."
Bachmann also complained of an "infamous monstrosity of a vote to nationalize effectively health care in the United States of America."
Palin spent much of her speech lauding Bachmann for standing up to Democrats in Washington.
"What's wrong with being the party of no when you consider what Obama, Pelosi and Reid are trying to do to our country? So be it," she said. "Not when it violates our Constitution!"
Palin said it was good to be in Minnesota, where people hunt and fish and some are "clinging to your guns and religion like the rest of us."
She told the crowd that many in Washington are "addicted to opium -- o.p.m., other people's money."
She said a vote for Bachmann was a vote "for the principles that make this country great." Such a vote, she added, was a way to state that members of the military are "a force for good in this world and that is nothing to apologize for."
"What do you say, Minnesota?" asked Palin. "Will you do the rest of the nation a favor and reelect Michele Bachmann?"
Before Palin and Bachmann spoke, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who is widely expected to run for president, took the stage.
"We now live in a country where Wall Street gets a bail out, the poor get a handout, and everybody else gets their wallet out," said Pawlenty. He said that the rule of law is "under assault" by the Obama administration because of the individual mandate in the health care bill.
America, he added, is in a situation where there are "state sponsored companies that are too big to fail," "a federal government that is too big to succeed," and "national leaders that are too small to do anything about it."
A succession of speakers preceded the three politicians, many taking shots at House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for what they deemed a "government takeover of health care."
After the event's invocation, the host joked that any Democrats present would be offered therapy because the words "god" and "Jesus" had been spoken.
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Why don't you go back to Alaska and shut up; you don't know jack sh&T about politics. You claim to be a christian, if you are why don't you pray for he President instead of constantly criticizing him. Especally since you're so misinformed!! You're just one more fat cat republican that deosn't have a clue! You make me embaressed to be a women based on your actions and words. Your a small town girl trying to get your 15 minutes of fame. My entire life I was a reigistered Republican; you're babbling, dirty tactics and lack of respect and lack of education of the midle class forced me to change political parties. Go back to Alaska and do what you seem to be good at; makings moose stew and shooting defensless animals! You're a media *****; soon your'e 15 minutes of fame is OVER!!!
The working poor, who had no health care insurance, will be covered in the future. This is good, but consider the following:
The middle class will see:
1) Their state and federal taxes go up ? including Medicare taxes
2) Their private insurance premiums go up
Seniors will see:
1) $500 billion less in Medicare
2) Fewer doctors willing to accept Medicare patients
States will see:
1) Federal government expansion of Medicaid ? adding financial burden on the states
2) This action forces the states to greatly raise taxes on citizens of each state
Businesses will see:
1) Federal mandates which force them to provide insurance ? adding financial burdens
2) This action will cause many to have to lay off more workers
The majority of Americans:
1) Asked for reform on a few specific areas ? but will see health care turned upside down
2) Have been ignored, after stating in polls that they do not want this bill
The federal government will see:
1) Itself much more empowered over individuals and businesses
2) Additional deficit spending after the CBO scores the impact of the reconciliation bill
Americans were asking Washington to help bring down the cost of health care, but instead Washington took this as an opportunity to fatten itself at our expense. This bill will cause premiums to go up dramatically, and the higher taxes will result in our standard of living going down. Washington turned a deaf ear to the majority of Americans, and we will have an opportunity to set things straight come November.