PORTSMOUTH – Like other fans of Bill Richardson, Portsmouth horticulturist Lucy Clarke watched the tall former New Mexico governor conduct a last-ditch hand-shaking marathon in downtown Portsmouth yesterday and said he'd make a fine vice president.

"He's very intelligent. I hope when he doesn't make it into the White House, someone uses him wisely," said Clarke with a sigh, an undecided Democrat torn between Richardson and Hillary Clinton. "He's an asset to politics."

The former energy secretary, who came in fourth in the Iowa caucuses, denied any vice presidential ambitions during a last-minute campaign jaunt that had him zigzagging between Manchester and the Seacoast.

Ducking into Market Square coffeeshops, bookstores and boutiques while sign-waving supporters of Barack Obama and John Edwards faced off nearby, Richardson seemed unusually calm for someone insisting: "I'm going to win this race," then provoked smiles by turning to his audience and asking: "Come on, aren't I going to win?" Independent Joni Lacroix of Hampton explained that she was among three dozen folks meeting Richardson in a trendy Market Square coffee shop because she likes his foreign policy best. "He'd make a good running-mate for whoever wins the primary," said Lacroix.

Escorting Richardson around the state, senior campaign advisor and former Portsmouth mayor Steve Marchand touted Richardson as "boldest" on environmental reform, energy and Iraq. "I want change and experience, and Bill Richardson has both in spades," Marchand said.

Brian Wilkins of Dover, a University of New Hampshire graduate student "mostly decided" on Obama, said he showed up to shake Richardson's hand at Breaking New Grounds because he admires his service to the country. "He's very qualified," Wilkins said.

Outside deploying a huge campaign banner, campaign volunteer Roger Stephenson dismissed the vaunted "inevitability" of other candidates, arguing that Richardson has "the most aggressive policy on climate change" and "the next president is going to have zero margin of error" on the issue. "This is New Hampshire," said Stephenson. "You vote for the person you believe in, and it's our responsibility to send a message to the rest of the country." Several greeting Richardson yesterday mentioned his charm and recent debate performance.

Former Portsmouth City Councilor Harold Whitehouse, Jr. is a Republican Giuliani supporter. But he showed up in Market Square to shake Richardon's hand anyway. "I wanted to thank him for bringing some laughter to the debate," said Whitehouse.

At Popovers On The Square, another Market Square coffeeshop, Eric Weinreb, a Portsmouth civil engineer recently torn between McCain and Obama, said Richardson's poise during the debate now had him torn between McCain and Richardson. "What got me was how he handled himself," he explained.

During a campaign stop in Stratham before heading for Phillips Exeter Academy, Richardson told several hundred employees of The Timberland Company that if elected president, he'd end the Iraq war, and push for energy independence and universal healthcare.

That won over Trisha Baker. After hearing him speak, the Timberland project specialist said she was no longer torn between Hillary Clinton and Richardson. "It's Richardson after today," Baker declared. "I find him mature. Clinton is not. During the debate, the other three were like teenagers bickering. He's an adult."