Richardson, who said he has now campaigned in 15 states for Obama, sounded plenty confident when handicapping the debate. “This is the debate where Obama clinches the deal with the American people,” he predicted. Richardson said he will be stumping for the Democratic ticket next week in New Mexico and Colorado.

Gov. Bill Richardson, shown here in Colorado, has been stumping for Obama at grass-roots events in more than a dozen states. (Credit: Obama Flickr.)

We spoke just before the debate began on Wednesday night, in a carnival tent at Hofstra University that was bursting with politicos, reporters and free swag from Anheuser-Busch, which is sponsoring the debate.  Richardson also chatted with Rep. Rahm Emanuel and CNN’s Ed Henry, swaping debate analysis.

The one-time presidential candidate joins a large chorus of “Obama Spinners” — that’s what the campaign literally calls them! — who will talk up Obama’s performance, no matter what, when the final debate ends.  Organizers cordoned off a large swath of the Hofstra gym for spinners from both campaigns.