Five weeks after she lost the Republican primary for governor, Sarah Steelman has finally put out a statement saying it’s time to “come together to work hard for our common goal of moving Missouri forward.”

But if former foe Kenny Hulshof was looking for compliments, he has to look pretty hard. The statement focuses on the “tone of change” offered by the presidential and vice presidential candidates.

Here’s her statement:

“It is clear that Senator John McCain, and his vice presidential running mate Governor Sarah Palin, have set a tone of change for the Republican party by putting the people of this country first and putting principle over politics. This is great news for the people of this country.

“In Missouri, we had a hard-fought primary for Governor about many of the same issues that Senator McCain and Governor Palin support. It is time to come together to work hard for our common goal of moving Missouri forward, not for the sake of an election, but for making a better future for Missouri families. I am and have always been a conservative republican. I believe in conservative values, limited government, personal and economic freedom and fiscal responsibility.

“I look forward to supporting Senator McCain, Governor Palin, Congressman Kenny Hulshof and other Missouri Republicans on the issues that are going to make a difference to every Missouri family.”