Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's planned fundraiser for Rep. Michele Bachmann gave 200 union members a reason to rally at noon Wednesday at the state Capitol, where they cheered calls for hiking taxes on the wealthy and government spending to create jobs.

The theme of middle class Americans being shortchanged by economic recovery resonated with union members, who hoisted signs reading, "Jobs – Not Big-banker bonuses," and "Fair Taxes."

When U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison, a DFLer representing Minnesota's Fifth Congressional District, yelled, "What do we want?" the crowd replied with a roar, "Jobs." Poking fun at the price of having a picture taken with Palin at the Minneapolis fundraiser, Ellison told the union members, "If you want a photo, drop 10 grand on the barrel and you got one." Ellison used the rally in the Capitol rotunda to give a plug to state Sen. Tarryl Clark, the St. Cloud DFLer challenging Republican Bachmann. He said Clark's campaign is forcing Bachmann to look for more money to win re-election.
"If she was not scared…she wouldn't bring Palin here at all," Ellison said. Christi Nelson of Cottage Grove complained that the middle class "are getting squeezed" by state cuts in aid to local government that result in higher property taxes. She said wealthier Minnesotans should pay more taxes because "they can afford it more." Mike Buesing, president of Council 5 of the American Council of State County and Municipal Employees told the crowd, "We need to grow good jobs and we need to tax the rich. The two go hand-in-hand." Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who is scheduled to appear with Bachmann and Palin at the fundraiser, came in for sharp criticism from speakers who said his budget cuts have hurt working class people and neighborhoods. "We take care of South St. Paul, while Gov. Pawlenty cuts his hometown," Buesing told the crowd, "Taxing the rich is a better budget fix."