In a Republican's world, two of the state's future top officeholders took the microphone at Buchanan County Lincoln Day Saturday night in St. Joseph.

As the party's viable candidate for state treasurer hails from Northwest Missouri, Sen. Brad Lager, R-Savannah, expounded on fiscal restraint and accountability to a crowd of Buchanan County politicos.

But the annual Republican rally's keynote speaker is pursuing a higher office.

Treasurer Sarah Steelman asked the Buchanan County GOP to remember her longtime commitment to conservative principles when considering her bid for governor in the 2008 primary.

"I was conservative when conservative wasn't cool," she said, calling on her record as a former Missouri legislator and her recent efforts as treasurer to implement terror-free screening processes in state pension funds.

Her Republican contender, U.S. Rep. Kenny Hulshof, R-Columbia, also showed Saturday night.

The "farm kid" from Southern Missouri focused his comments on his rural work ethic and values.

Both candidates steered clear of many comments of each other, instead stressing the importance of defeating Attorney General Jay Nixon, the Democratic challenger in the gubernatorial race.

"I think the next governor of our state has graced your presence in this hall. Sarah and I might not agree on who that may be ...," Mr. Hulshof said.

State Sen. Charlie Shields, R-St. Joseph, encouraged the crowd at the St. Joseph Holiday Inn to take advantage of this year's divisive Democratic presidential primary.

But Ms. Steelman told the News-Press she didn't believe a Republican primary for governor would hurt her party's chances in holding onto the governor's office.

"I think a primary can be good to flesh out the ideas that are important to the Republican party," she said.

She said she believed her role in Missouri's "good fiscal discipline" when compared to the "mess" in Washington sets her apart from Mr. Hulshof.

Mr. Hulshof, who touted the "fresh perspective" he could bring to state government, said the attention a clean primary would bring for the party could help the successful candidate in November.

The evening veered from the pomp and circumstance briefly for the viewing of "The Banshee Cry," a video Republican Central Committee Chairman Bob Ott had created for the evening. The montage showed less-than flattering images of U.S. Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. Ms. Clinton's voice dominated the package, however.

Rep. Dr. Rob Schaaf, R-St. Joseph, concluded the Lincoln Day dinner with a speech entitled, "Why I hate Robin Carnahan." Ms. Carnahan, a Democrat, is Missouri's secretary of state. Her office puts together Missouri's official state manuals, commonly called "blue books" every year.

Dr. Schaaf cited page 808 of the 2007-2008 edition as his reason for the speech's title. The book incorrectly identifies Buchanan County Eastern District Commissioner Dan Hausman as a Democrat. Mr. Hausman, a Republican, is seeking re-election.

U.S. Rep. Sam Graves, R-Tarkio, also was a featured speaker Saturday night.

Alyson E. Raletz can be reached

at alysonraletz@npgco.com.