Palin rallies ‘Mountain Mamas’ in W.Va.

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin headlined a rally for Republican Senate candidate John Raese in West Virginia Saturday, urging voters to “keep Manchin in the mansion.”

Palin called Raese’s opponent, Gov. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) “a nice guy” but warned that he would be nothing more than a rubber-stamp for President Obama’s agenda in Washington. 

“I like your governor,” Palin said. “I’ve worked with him before. He’s a nice guy. But he’s such a good governor, I think Manchin in the mansion kind of fits.”  

The GOP’s 2008 vice presidential nominee also gave a shout out to the “mountain mamas” in the crowd of Raese backers.

“Looking out at this beautiful crowd, I’m seeing all these Mountain Mamas and wondering, is that anything close to the old Mama Grizzlies?” said Palin.   

Palin said voters should look no further than the healthcare debate for evidence of how even the most independent Democrats will bow to the pressure of their party’s leadership in Washington. 

“Even those Blue Dog Democrats,” said Palin. “Their arms were twisted, deals were struck and they did fall in line at the end of the day didn’t they?” 

Manchin has made clear that he thinks parts of healthcare should be scrapped, but he isn’t in favor of total repeal of the bill. 

Palin also referenced Manchin’s now infamous campaign ad in which he shoots a hole through the a copy of the cap-and-trade bill. 

“John’s opponent has been all over the map on the Obama agenda,” said Palin. “One minute he’s for it, the next minute he’s aiming a rifle at it.” 

Palin didn’t mention her tweet in support of Raese earlier this month that incorrectly identified him as running for Senate in Pennsylvania. Palin later corrected the mistake, but Democrats used it as another opportunity to hit Raese for his ties to Florida, where he owns a home and his wife is registered to vote.  

Manchin is bringing in former President Bill Clinton Monday to help make his closing argument to West Virginia voters. It will be the second campaign rally Clinton has headlined for Manchin in the past two months.