Sarah Palin travels to W. Virginia to support GOP Senate candidate John Raese

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin hit West Virginia on Saturday, campaigning on behalf of Republican John Raese, who is locked in a close Senate race against Gov. Joe Manchin.

“Mountain mamas,” Palin said greeting the crowd.

“Is that anything close to mama grizzlies?” she asked, using the name she gave a group of conservative female candidates who have challenged the GOP establishment and are running with mixed success in the midterm elections Tuesday.

Palin and her husband Todd traveled overnight from Alaska to appear with rock ‘n’ roll star Ted Nugent, whom she called her blood brother because of his conservative views.

“We are proudly clinging to our guns, our God and our Constitution,” said Palin, the Republican vice presidential nominee in 2008 who has crossed the nation, building up IOUs in this midterm election.

Palin has not declared whether she wants to run for president in 2012, but she has made it clear she is at least considering it.

Manchin, a popular governor, is running neck-and-neck with Raese, according to the polls, for the seat held by the late Robert C. Byrd Jr. One of the things that has spiced up the race is that Manchin has distanced himself from some policies of the Obama administration, particularly the healthcare insurance overhaul.

Palin took note of Manchin’s position. “He’s been all over the map when it comes to Obama’s agenda. One minute he’s for it and the next minute he’s aiming his rifle at it,” she said.

Former President Clinton is heading to West Virginia on Monday to campaign for Manchin, the Democrat’s campaign announced Saturday. Clinton campaigned for Manchin earlier this month.

Michael.muskal@latimes.com

Twitter.com/LATimesmuskal