Wyoming's Republican Party moved up its presidential primary hoping to attract more attention from candidates.

So far, the returns look good.

A Friday night fundraiser in Casper drew an appearance from one presidential candidate and a phone call from another.

Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback spoke to a crowd of more than 40 at a dinner put on by the Wyoming Family Coalition, a political action committee that supports socially conservative policies. California Rep. Duncan Hunter, who was scheduled to attend the dinner in person, instead delivered his speech via speaker phone from the Minneapolis airport.

All this attention has made it an exciting time to be a Wyoming Republican, said Maureen Emrich, the coalition's vice chairman.

"This is the first time Wyoming has been able to participate in the nominating process," she said.

Brownback arrived at the dinner at the Petroleum Club just after 6:30 p.m. Dressed in a sport coat and open-collared dress shirt, the senator mingled with the crowd before speaking.

He began by telling the audience about growing up in Parker, Kan., where his and seven other families shared a single phone line.

From there, he launched into a speech that touched on issues ranging from the war in Iraq to the decision by the Republican presidential front-runners to skip a debate this week that focused on minority issues.

"I think that's just shame on us," he said. "We need to reach out to everybody."

Brownback told the crowd he wanted to be the president who appoints the Supreme Court justice who overturns Roe vs. Wade, the controversial court decision that legalized abortion in 1973.

"We are one justice from overturning Roe vs. Wade," he said. "One. And we will overturn this night of wrong, and we will end Roe vs. Wade. It is not a fundamental right in the Constitution."

Brownback also criticized the removal of religion and faith in public life.

"We've got to recognize that faith is a good thing in America," he said.

Hunter called the dinner as his wife Lynne, a former Wheatland resident, was giving a speech in his absence. She described him as a "buy American Republican," who won't wear clothes that aren't made in the United States.

"Some people call him a dark horse," she said. "I think he's going to surprise a lot of people."

Hunter, who's taken a strong stance against illegal immigration, said an 854-mile wall between Mexico and the United States would be completed within six months if he is elected president. He also spoke about the growing threats of China and Iran.

"I won't allow Iran to have a nuclear devise," he said.

Hunter and Brownback, along with former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson, are expected to attend a candidate forum in Casper this morning. Hunter and Brownback will also attend a forum this afternoon in Riverton.

The visits follow a decision by the Wyoming Republican Party to move its county conventions up to Jan. 5 - the same day as the New Hampshire Primary.

"What's really at the forefront of my mind is this is new," said Perry Marple, a Lander attorney who helped organize the forums. "We've had presidential candidates come to Wyoming in the past. Those were basically solo appearances. This is different."

Reach Joshua Wolfson at (307) 266-0582 or at josh.wolfson@casperstartribune.net.

* What: Republican presidential forums will be held in Casper and Riverton. They are free and open to the public.

* When: The first forum, at Casper College, begins at 10 a.m. The second forum is set for 5 p.m. at Central Wyoming College in Riverton.

* Who: Former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson, Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback and California Rep. Duncan Hunter will attend the Casper event. Thompson won't be attending the second forum. ]]->

�Head to casperstartribune.net for extra content from today's forum in Casper. We'll have live updates from the forum and video updates when it's done. Also today, we'll launch an Elections 2008 online�resource center with news and information from around the country.]]->