Bachmann/Palin 2010: Duo to stump together in Minnesota

MnIndy photo collage

Updated: “There is absolutely no one more in tune with the hearts and minds of everyday Americans than Governor Palin,” says Rep. Michele Bachmann of former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin in an email this morning, “and I’m excited to welcome her back to our beautiful state this spring.” Palin will head to Minnesota on April 7 to back Bachmann’s re-election bid.

A Bachmann/Palin pairing — already fodder for bumperstickers — could be a potent combination in the highly conservative Sixth Congressional District and in tea party–happy parts of America.

“We saw American’s frustration start in the form of tea party protests in states from coast to coast. It continued with the health care town halls throughout last summer,” said Bachmann in this morning’s statement. “But we saw it come into full focus yesterday in conservative Scott Brown’s victory in Massachusetts, taking back a Senate seat that was held by Democratic Senator Ted Kennedy for decades. The American people have spoken, and the momentum is clearly at the backs of conservatives heading into the 2010 elections.”

Palin, too, weighed in on the Brown victory, twice naming Bachmann. “I want to again thank the good people of Massachusetts for propelling a commonsense, independent agenda forward!” she said in a statement. “I look forward to helping Governors like Rick Perry in Texas, Representatives like Michele Bachmann in Minnesota, and heroes and statesmen like Senator John McCain. We will support these candidates and others so that they can continue to fight for our American values.”

The campaign hasn’t yet revealed details of the former GOP VP pick’s trip. Next month, Palin and Bachmann will both speak at the National Tea Party Convention in Nashville.

Update: The campaign of DFLer Tarryl Clark issued this statement in response to Bachmann’s announcement:

It’s clear that Michele Bachmann is more focused on building her national conservative celebrity credentials than doing the work that is needed by the 6th District. From her Tea Party travels to hobnobbing with the conservative celebrity set, she’s more interested in her personal agenda than in doing the work so desperately needed by the residents of the 6th District – like addressing the state’s highest unemployment rates and foreclosure rates right in her own district. Bringing in her friend Sarah Palin to help her pursue those big-money national donors is just one more example of where Bachmann’s focus really is – and its clearly not on doing work for her constituents.