It's close to impossible to run for the national ticket short of being Governor, Senator or at the very least Congressman.
The new Gov of Missouri is a Democrat, and Steelman lost the 2008 primaries and didn't run for State treasury again.
If Steelman doesn't run for Governor 2012 she would enter the presidential ticket after being State Senator, State treasurer and 4 years political break (she's teaching economics at Lincoln University).
I think she will eye a run for Governor in 2012 again and (hopefully) win.