NASHUA – Bill Clinton admires everybody vying for the Democratic presidential nomination, but he'd only vote for one.

"If Hillary and I had not been married since 1975 and she had asked me to come here knowing what I know about the presidency and the demands of the current moment, I would come here in a heartbeat," Clinton said.

With his wife locked in a tight Iowa caucus race, Clinton returned to New Hampshire to campaign on her behalf.

He spent an hour Saturday morning speaking to a group of about 150 at a Nashua VFW post and kicked off the state arm of Sen. Clinton's "Big Challenges, Real Solutions -- Time to Pick A President" tour.

"This is crunch time in this election," Clinton said. "These people are smart, honest, good. They love their country. They've done their best to address the challenges of the day. You just have to figure out who would be the best President, and I don't think it's close."

From her vision on health care to Iraq, the environment and economic issues, former President Clinton said the New York senator is more prepared than any of her rivals to run the country.

"I think she's the best-qualified person seeking the presidency I have had a chance to vote for in the last 40 years," Clinton said.

The 42nd President honed in on Hillary Clinton's vow to use diplomacy over military force, saying America and the world need a leader willing to talk before putting troops on the ground.

"We honor our military and we're proud of the men and women who serve, but we're going to use diplomacy with friend and foe alike whenever we can, and use military force only as an absolute last resort, not the other way around," he said.

President Clinton said if elected, his wife would quickly start to "reform the government."

"We must begin by appointing truly competent people, not political cronies, to important jobs," he said.

Ed Foley, business representative for the Hooksett-based Local 17 chapter of the Sheetmetal Workers, said Hillary Clinton's promise of obtaining universal health care and securing retirement benefits for working-class Americans earned her the union's endorsement.

"She's going to make sure we have retirement security and create jobs," Foley said. "I'm confident she's going to win the state. Her workers will get her message out."

Bill Clinton reminded voters his wife has the support of elected officials in key battleground states such as Ohio, where Gov. Ted Strickland has already endorsed her.

She can also win in southern states such as the President's home state of Arkansas, he said, pointing to recent poll numbers there.

"She had a double-digit lead and a majority of the vote against every single Republican in Arkansas," Clinton said.

He appealed again to the voters who put him on the path to the Presidency by giving him second place in 1992's primary election.

"If you give her the election, you did something not only historic but profoundly good for you, your children and the entire world," he said.