MANCHESTER – Gov. Bill Richardson is leaving a private luncheon at the Puritan Backroom restaurant and getting ready to chat it up with Democratic voters at a house party in Hooksett. But first, he has to make a quick phone call.

"Tell him I want to see, obviously, President Bashir," the New Mexico Democrat tells his scheduler via cell phone as the state trooper at the wheel speeds their SUV onto the interstate. Richardson is referring to Omar al-Bashir, the president of war-torn Sudan, and a "humanitarian mission" the governor is trying to orchestrate.

"Just put, 'Anybody making decisions on U.N. force,'" Richardson tells the woman on the line. "But, you know, certainly the president."

Gov. Bill Richardson Richardson spent the weekend in New Hampshire as he considers a run for U.S. President.

►Gingrich ponders late entry in 2008 Presidential race
►Biden says U.S. 'tilting at windmills' on Iraq
►Richardson calls for more politics, not troops, in Iraq
►No White House run for Evan Bayh
►Gingrich defends free speech curbs
►NH Democrats extend invitation to Sen. Clinton
►'Draft Obama' to air television spot in NH

Richardson, who spent the weekend in New Hampshire as he considers a run for U.S. president, has been keeping a high profile in foreign affairs. Last Friday, he met with North Korean diplomats to discuss this week's talks on North Korea's nuclear weapons program.

His sights, however, have not strayed far from the homefront. Richardson has made repeated visits this year to New Hampshire, where he and other prospective presidential candidates are already gearing up for a primary that's still more than a year away. The governor says he plans to announce his intentions next month.

Richardson said he was surprised by Sen. Evan Bayh's decision to quit the race, two weeks after the Indiana Democrat announced he was forming an exploratory committee. He maintained, however, that underdogs can win in New Hampshire and that voters are starting to recognize his name.

"I know the media's not taking me seriously right now. I know the pundits aren't," he said yesterday in an interview with the New Hampshire Union Leader. "And that's fine with me ...

"You've got to peak at the right time. I don't want to peak now."

Richardson has previously served as a congressman, U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, and U.S. energy secretary. Last month, he won reelection to a second term as governor of New Mexico. His margin of victory was the largest in state history.

As a candidate for president, Richardson said he would aim to diminish the country's dependence on foreign oil and improve port security.

In Iraq, as in North Korea, Richardson said he favors diplomacy over military force. The governor said he would withdraw U.S. troops from Iraq next year and encourage Iraq's warring factions to try reconciling their differences peacefully.

"I believe a civil war subsides with us taking a secondary role but (also) helping the Iraqis make the transition to secure their country," he said.

Richardson said he also supports the Iraq Study Commission's recommendation of resuming talks with Syria and Iran.

"We have not emphasized diplomacy and face-to-face negotiations," Richardson said. "You can deliver a tougher message by doing it directly."

About 20 people came to see Richardson in Hooksett at the home of newly elected Rep. Eileen Ehlers. There, voters pressed Richardson to discuss his take on illegal immigration.

Richardson, who is Hispanic, said he supports a policy of "earned legalization" that would allow illegal immigrants to become citizens if they learn English, pay back taxes, incur a fine and pass a background check. He opposes plans to build a wall on the U.S.-Mexican border.

Attendees interviewed after his visit said they were impressed with Richardson's intelligence and articulateness. Their support, however, would not be guaranteed.

"People here, they listen to everybody," said Bobby Nord, chairman of the Candia Democrats. "If he engages people here, gets them excited, yeah, he certainly can win here."