MERRILLVILLE | Indiana's future is dependant on the health and vibrancy of Lake County, state Rep. Brian Bosma told area Republicans on Saturday night.

The state House of Representatives minority leader was the guest speaker at the Lake County Republican Party's annual Lincoln Day dinner at St. Elijah Serbian American Hall in Merrillville.

It is the 200th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's presidency. Lincoln was the country's first Republican president.

Bosma said it made sense to talk about Lincoln when looking toward the party's future. He urged persistence, integrity and character in shaping legislation and policy.

He chastised President Barack Obama for attempting to draw comparisons to Lincoln.

"Believe me, they are nothing alike," Bosma said.

Republican Kim Krull poked at the local Democratic Party, telling the crowd that Lake County Republicans are tired -- "tired of Democrats stealing gas, tired of their children driving county-owned vehicles to school and the Democratic musical chairs in county seats."

Bosma told a cheering crowd of about 300 people he is committed to bringing a Lake County Republican to the General Assembly in 2010.

Bosma touted Republicans as the reason for Indiana's balanced budget and its survival in the struggling economy. He said Republicans are integral to continuing to ensure that future.