Marcus Bachmann at Minnesota's observation of the National Day of Prayer. Photo: Andy Birkey

About 100 people turned out Thursday for Minnesota’s National Day of Prayer event at the state Capitol, and many politicians were there to take part. Rep. Michele Bachmann sent a message by way of her husband, Marcus; a Secretary of State candidate said the military helps bring people to Christ; and an absent Gov. Tim Pawlenty gave his seal of approval for the event by way of an official proclamation.

Striking a recurring theme at the event, Rep. Dan Severson, the GOP-endorsed candidate for Secretary of State, told the crowd that Minnesota had to move back to biblical principles.

“We live in a blessed land that was formed on a Constitution, that was based on biblical principles and principles of a belief in God and a belief that the truth will set men free,” he said.

He prayed for the nation’s men and women serving in the armed forces and spoke about the important work they do.

“And for America, that importance is that every man woman and child would have the opportunity to receive Jesus Christ as their personal savior,” he said. “So we want to lift up these men and women who are committed to this country.”

Rep. Dan Severson

Lt. Gov. Carol Molnau read a proclamation from Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who did not attend the event as he has in previous years.

“Now therefore, I, Tim Palwenty, Governor of Minnesota, do hereby proclaim Thursday, May 6, 2010, as day of prayer in the State of Minnesota and humbly encourage citizens of faith to turn to God as their understanding and beliefs direct, that we may open our hearts in thanksgiving for the blessings we received and to seek strength, wisdom, and encouragement to build a better Minnesota for all.”

Marcus Bachmann read a letter from Rep. Bachmann, but before he did, he gave his own remarks.

“Today is the day that the Lord hath made, let us rejoice! And let us be reminded that one day every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.”

He then read a letter from his wife, whom he called his “beloved.”

“Our country has a rich Christian history and was founded upon the principle of biblical freedom. What a gift it is to know that God has blessed us with the right to pray, teach and practice our beliefs in this great country,” she wrote.

“May we continue to stand boldly against tyranny,” she said. “We will work to restore our land to its foundations of religious freedom. We must never forget that these rights are given by God and that they are hated by unfaithful men.”

Pastor Peggy Johnson then conducted a fiery “laying on of hands” for Marcus Bachmann.

“He is Lord over Minnesota,” she said. “He is Lord over this nation. He is Lord! And so we declare it today,” she shouted as the crowd swayed, eyes closed and arms out-stretched. “Lord, we pray a protection around [members of Congress]. And Lord we pray for divine protection around these leaders. We ask you would give them divine revelation from your throne room.”

Secretary of State Mark Ritchie

Many Democratic members of the legislature turned out to greet the crowd as well. House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher declined to pray, instead asking all members of the legislature present to stand and be recognized. Sen. Terri Bonoff took to the mic to offer a Jewish prayer, in what would be the only non-evangelical Christian prayer of the day. (In past years, the event hasn’t included any non-evangelical speakers.)

“I’m Jewish so I offered to do a Hebrew prayer so that we could all be included,” she told the crowd.

Secretary of State Mark Ritchie has attended the event for years. He used the opportunity to remember Sgt. Joe Bergeron, a Maplewood police officer who was killed in the line of duty over the weekend.

“Prayer can bring us comfort, especially in times of loss,” he said. “The funeral this morning for Sgt. Bergeron’s family — of the meaning and the words and the prayers that were given, I was most touched by his nephew. His nephew said that Joe didn’t become a hero in his death; he was a hero by how he lived his life.”

“And my prayer today,” Ritchie added, “is that we be heroes in our lives.”

This year’s prayer day follows an April ruling by a federal judge in Wisconsin deeming the National Day of Prayer unconstitutional. The Minnesota event’s coordinator, Sharon Auldrich, told the Minnesota Independent last month that the state prayer day “draw[s] a line in the sand.”

“Those who say they believe in God and say they have biblical values will have to step forward and prove it.”

Photo: Simon Stromberg

About 1,000 people gathered at the Minnesota State Capitol lawn Saturday to hear Rep. Michele Bachmann speak out against health care reform. Billed as the “Kill the Bill Rally,” Bachmann railed against a “government takeover” of all aspects of the economy and compared Barack Obama and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Venezuela’s President Hugo Chavez.

“Some have called President Obama the first post-American president,” Bachmann said. “Certainly this health care bill would be our first postmodern legislation where words mean absolutely nothing.”

While other speakers took the podium, Bachmann was easily the crowd favorite, and her supporters waved signs reading “Obama Lies, Babies Die,” “Damn this federal government to hell,” “Obama bin Lyin’” and “The citizens must declare war on their immoral, corrupt, Marxist government.”

“Obama’s idea is for Pelosi to pass a bill and have her members vote on something they never voted for. Sounds more like a Chavez tactic in Venezuela,” said Bachmann. “We have a duty to resist tyranny. This isn’t a joke. They can’t do this. The government is working against us. They are not working for us, and they got it all backwards. They work for us. We don’t work for them.”

“All I am doing in Washington is my job. And I’m in trouble every day of the week in the media in Minnesota, but it’s because I’m doing my job!” Bachmann said.

Bachmann praised veterans both past and present. “And these men had guts our founders, these were no pantywaist wusses, and neither are we by the way!”

She continued to rail against Pelosi and Obama. “They don’t scare us. They aren’t going to take our country. This is dictatorial is what they are doing.”

Bachmann wasn’t the only politician at the rally. Rep. John Kline gave brief introductory remarks. Congressional candidate Barb Davis White, addressed the crowd, while gubernatorial candidates Tom Emmer and Marty Seifert stood on stage alongside Bachmann.

Bachmann wrapped up her 27-minute speech by saying, “Mark my words, the American people are not going to take this lying down. We aren’t going to play their game. We aren’t going to pay their taxes.”

The UpTake recorded Bachmann’s full speech:

Clear Channel went from spending nothing in 2005 to spending $60,000 in 2006, as did the SAS Institute, Single Sales Factor Coalition, the St. Paul Police Federation and Ticketmaster.

Planned Parenthood of Minnesota spent just $1,546 in 2006 compared with $190,912 in 2005.

The Jobs Now Coalition punched in with the least amount — $24.50.