Usually, Gov. Bill Richardson is the first in line when Democratic political visitors come to town.

Take 2004, when Richardson hosted former President Clinton and a slew of other Democrats in New Mexico, his political mojo flowing.

But the governor was nowhere to be seen Thursday when Clinton stopped at the state Capitol — just three floors down from Richardson's office — and U.S. Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., stumped across town at the Santa Fe Community College.

Instead Richardson, who has yet to endorse a candidate after dropping his own presidential bid last month, was in Williamsburg, Va., attending a meeting of the U.S. House Democratic Caucus Panel. He later was scheduled to meet with the state's lobbying firm in Washington, D.C., and with New Mexico;s U.S. Sens. Pete Domenici, a Reublican, and Jeff Bingaman, a Democrat, on the state's projects including the Rail Runner commuter train.

And Richardson won't be around today when U.S. Sen. Barack Obama arrives for campaign stops in Albuquerque and Santa Fe. Instead, Richardson is scheduled to meet with U.S. Department of Defense officials concerning the state's efforts to recruit the new Air Force Cyberspace Command.

So do those state-business meetings really take precedence over the high-profile political visits on the eve of "Super Tuesday" voting in a close Democratic presidential race? Or is Richardson distancing himself from politics for the moment?

"It's impossible for Bill Richardson to unplug from politics," University of New Mexico political science professor Christine Sierra said Thursday.

Instead, she said, Richardson is trying to remain neutral — and be as attractive a candidate for a possible Democratic administration as he can.

"He wants to be in a Democratic administration and is playing his cards cautiously so he doesn't anger any nominees," Sierra said.

The Governor's Office, however, says Richardson has work to do and made plans to be away 15 days ago.

"The governor made a commitment to be in Washington nearly two weeks ago, long before any of the presidential candidates made plans to visit New Mexico," spokesman Gilbert Gallegos said.

Richardson four years ago played host to several Democratic presidential candidates, graciously appearing with them but not endorsing any.

"This is Bill Richardson's 2008 version of staying neutral in 2004," Sierra said. "His attempt to be neutral is shown by his absence."

While Richardson was on the East Coast on Thursday, Clinton in the morning was in Albuquerque to rally supporters of his wife, Sen. Hillary Clinton, at the University of New Mexico.

About 11:40 a.m., Bill Clinton visited the Roundhouse, stepping onto the House floor very briefly, waving without saying anything, and then meeting in private with lawmakers who have endorsed the New York senator.

His stop at the Capitol lasted less than an hour and came with little warning. Lawmakers in the meeting said the group talked about education policy and getting out the vote in New Mexico's presidential caucus.

The former president's visit wasn't open to the public and involved closing off most of the Roundhouse basement to onlookers, members of the news media and even lawmakers who weren't pledged to the Clinton campaign, according to some legislators.

Bill Clinton, who twice gave Richardson posts in his administration, both as Department of Energy secretary and as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, has apparently been trying to gain Richardson's endorsement for his wife.

"I talked to him yesterday," Clinton said as he was hurried out the Capitol garage after his visit. "I haven't talked to him today."

The campaign-loving Richardson isn't expected to be back in town until tonight — after Obama's last public event.

Richardson said this week that he hasn't picked someone to endorse — and he might not — and that voters should chose a candidate on their own.

Contact Kate Nash at 986-3036 or knash@sfnewmexican.com. Read her blog, Green Chile Chatter, at www.sfnewmexican.com.