A television commercial in Gov. Bill Richardson's unsuccessful presidential campaign featured him posing as a job applicant, ticking off his credentials for a disinterested interviewer.

On Thursday, however, he wasn't ready to talk about where he might apply for his next position.

The New Mexico governor wouldn't take questions about that — or anything else — from the local media camped outside a television studio in the Capitol after his withdrawal speech. He did grant interviews to national media from inside the studio.

During those interviews, and during a 14-minute speech at the Capitol Rotunda, Richardson gave a few clues as to what he will — and won't — be doing.

First up, he said he's supporting U.S. Rep. Tom Udall, a Democrat, which should end any lingering speculation that the governor would seek the U.S. Senate seat that Udall is after.

Richardson also said he won't align himself with any of the remaining candidates by way of an endorsement. During a Fox News interview, he didn't rule out the vice presidency when asked whether he would make a good running mate for one of the remaining presidential candidates.

"I'm going to just concentrate on being a good governor. You know, I've got the best job in the world," he said, giving his stock answer to questions about his future.

Not endorsing anyone would also help keep open his opportunities for a potential Cabinet-level position as well. Secretary of state could be high on the list for Richardson, a former international troubleshooter for former President Clinton and a former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.

Richardson, who said Thursday he'll keep conducting international missions, in recent years has been to North Korea and Sudan.

While Richardson wouldn't talk about his future, Lt. Gov. Diane Denish, who served as governor while Richardson traveled for the campaign, believes he's likely to get a spot in the next administration, assuming a Democrat is elected.

"I don't think we should count him out of having a position at the national level," she said. "He'll work hard. He has something to bring to the table. He has enormous influence in the West."

Denish, who said she's leaning toward endorsing Sen. Hillary Clinton, said Richardson could have a shot with Clinton's camp. Denish was scheduled to talk with former President Clinton on Thursday evening and with Sen. Clinton in the next day or so.

"I think with Senator Clinton, he still has the possibility of a vice-presidential consideration," Denish said. "I don't know if that's true with Obama, simply because I think ethnicity would play a role in that," she said.

"But I think he has great potential to be part of the next administration in both their administrations. He's a shrewd political person, and I'm sure he'll be talking to both of them if he hasn't already about his opportunities."

Richardson campaign manager Dave Contarino, however, said the governor hasn't discussed what role he'd play on a national level. "That's down the line," he said.

Still, Richardson in the Fox interview said he's not done with the 2008 race. "I'll be active in the national debate. I'm not retreating to obscurity," he told the network's Neil Cavuto.

The governor, who was born in California to a Mexican mother but grew up in Mexico City, is likely to work to get Hispanics to vote in the upcoming primaries. He's also expected to push regional voters to turn out in the Feb. 5 superprimary, which includes New Mexico.

While his name will remain on the Feb. 5 New Mexico Democratic primary ballot, Richardson urged state Democrats and others who supported him to "take a long and thoughtful look at the remaining Democrats."

Although his long-term plan remains elusive, the governor did speak about what he'll be doing in the coming days.

Most immediately, he has to map out the 30-day legislative session that starts Tuesday. "Our Legislature starts next week, and I intend to put my full efforts behind our No. 1 priority — extending health insurance to every New Mexican by the end of my term," he said during his speech.

"So, to all New Mexico legislators and citizens who participate in the public process, I have a message: I am back."

High on the governor's priority list this year is a health care agenda that would mandate insurance for all New Mexicans by 2010.

Whether the governor still has the political capital to get his measures approved remains to be seen; he angered some lawmakers last year by campaigning for president out of state after he called a special session that lawmakers had to attend.

That rift last spring was far from the only time Richardson was away from his home base. Since announcing his candidacy, the governor has been away from the Capitol more than he's been there.

His crazy schedule as of late means that whatever he does in the long term, the governor likely has some rest scheduled for the next few days. He has been on the campaign trail almost nonstop since about this time last year.

During his speech, he only let on once that the race was grueling. "The voters of this country — and particularly of the early primary states where I focused my campaign — tested me in ways I have never been tested," he said. "We had 200 debates. Actually, it was only 24, but it sure felt like 200."

Although that might seem like he's complaining, Richardson clearly enjoyed the debates, the spotlight.

The 60-year-old long has doggedly crafted a career in politics. After working in Washington, D.C., he moved to heavily Hispanic New Mexico, got involved in Democratic politics and soon ran for Congress. In addition to his diplomatic roles for President Clinton, he served as Department of Energy secretary.

Although national name recognition nonetheless was considered an issue when he launched his presidential campaign a year ago, he has raised his profile even higher.

University of New Mexico political science professor Christine Sierra said there are other possibilities beyond politics for Richardson, who served as a corporate director, lecturer and member of a consulting firm before running for governor.

"There may be offers from the private sector," she said. "Or from nonprofits in international relations or international affairs. Lots of former politicians also get nice invites to join think tanks and work in foreign policy. There are probably a lot of doors that will open for him."

Contact Kate Nash at 986-3036 or knash@sfnewmexican.com.