Palin Rallies 'Mountain Mamas' for Raese in West Virginia

CHARLESTON, W.Va., Oct. 30, 2010— -- Sarah Palin took to the campaign trail today in a final push before election day, headlining a rally for Republican Senate candidate John Raese.

"I'm seeing all these 'mountain mamas and wondering, 'Mountain mamas? Is that anything close to the 'mama grizzlies'?'" the former Alaska governor asked.

"I've been traveling a lot of country roads these last few months especially, trying to get people to understand how important it is that we do elect the right people on Nov. 2 to turn this country around," Palin said.

Palin drew big cheers from the crowd when she suggested that Raese's opponent, Democratic Gov. Joe Manchin, should keep his current job.

"It's nothing personal. I like your governor. I've worked with him before. He's such a nice guy," Palin said. "But he's such a nice governor I think that Manchin in the mansion just kind of fits, to keep him there."

Raese and Manchin are running neck-and-neck for the seat held by the late Senator Robert Byrd.

Despite the niceties, Palin went on to say that Manchin has perpetuated the problems of "big government" over the past two years and is now trying to blame others in Washington for the current state of the economy.

"John's opponent, let's call him the 'would-be Senator Rubber Stamp,' this opponent is trying to say now, 'Barack who? Never heard of him? Wasn't me?'" Palin said. If Manchin is elected, however, she said he would "be expected to fall in line."

Palin made no mention of her slip-up earlier this month on Twitter, when she incorrectly urged voters to support Raese for Senate in Pennsylvania. She later corrected the mistake.

The 2008 vice-presidential nominee was joined by her husband Todd and rocker Ted Nugent, who took the stage with a hard rock rendition of "The Star Spangled Banner."

Nugent, who referred to Palin and Raese as his "blood brothers," said that with just three days until the midterms, "it's time to kick maximum ass."

"John's going to get attacked for having me here today because I am the whack-master," Nugent said. "I am John's buddy, know it, celebrate it, and never ever back down from what you believe in."