LONDONDERRY, N.H. -- Most conversations about possible Democratic candidates for president in 2008 begin and end with Sen. Hillary Clinton, but another contender was in New Hampshire on Friday.

Former Virginia Gov. Mark Warner paid a visit to Gary Hirshberg, chief executive officer of Stonyfield Farm.

"Every successful campaign has started with this tour here," Warner said. "This is a good omen."

With a CNN crew and national reporters in tow, the Democrat toured the plant. He shared his background as cofounder of Nextel and described his bipartisan successes. Some locals asked about Warner's campaign, and he took the high road when asked about Clinton.

"Sen. Clinton is an extremely good senator, a great leader of our party," Warner said. "What she does will have an incredible impact."

But he also said that the campaign is not about people and popularity.

"Let's talk about ideas, how we take our country forward," he said.

Warner carefully answered questions about possible changes to the primary lineup in 2008, but he indicated support for keeping New Hampshire's first-in-the-nation status.

"The process has been pretty successful for a pretty long time," he said.

For someone who has met every candidate from John F. Kennedy to Howard Dean, Hirshberg was impressed.

"And I think he needs to be taken very seriously," Hirshberg said. "I will take him very seriously."

Warner will be the keynote speaker for the Democratic Party's annual 100 Club dinner Friday night in Manchester.