DENVER - At a lunch reception he sponsored for Wyoming delegates to the Democratic National Convention Tuesday, Gov. Dave Freudenthal gave a quick speech, mainly to thank the event sponsor, FMC Wyoming Corporation, and then sat down.

At a delegate breakfast Wednesday, Freudenthal ate his food in the last row of the meeting room, addressing the group only when questions were asked of him.

Freudenthal also declined an invitation to be considered for a speech on the main convention stage - a venue that has helped launch the career of more than one aspiring national politician.

While other Democrats, including some western governors, are enjoying the glow of the national media spotlight at the convention this week in Denver, Freudenthal is keeping a low profile.

This convention is "a chance to participate in democracy. It's an amazing thing. But I can only take small doses of it," said Freudenthal, a convention superdelegate.

Freudenthal's chief of staff, Chris Boswell, said the governor is happy to let other people take center stage in Denver.

But he is using the opportunity to spend time with the Wyoming delegation and representatives from the Wyoming businesses that sponsored events for the delegation.

"It's essentially a chance to visit with folks, interact with campaign officials, and also to interact with sponsors," Boswell said. "It's not easy to put things like this on. A lot of people, meaning sponsors, will want to get the governor's ear."

Had Freudenthal opted for a higher profile in Denver, it may have increased speculation that he is seeking a position with the Obama administration. Freudenthal's term ends in 2010, and he is supporter of the Obama campaign.

Freudenthal has repeatedly denied that he is seeking a federal position.

"I'm not ever going to convince the speculators," Freudenthal said this week. "I'm not looking for something; don't plan on it."

Freudenthal's reluctance to seek attention at the convention is not out of character.

He is known to promote his own initiatives through Republican sponsors in the GOP-dominated state Legislature.

He regularly declines interviews with members of the national news media, although he did appear on the Sunday morning news program Meet the Press earlier this summer with Tom Brokaw.

Freudenthal seldom takes an active public role in state Democratic political races outside of his own, even though he once served as chairman of the state Democratic Central Committee.

"I think Governor Freudenthal preoccupies himself with being governor of our state and doesn't appear to be aspiring or positioning himself for some sort of national appointment or position," said delegate Jason Bloomberg of Cheyenne. "I'm glad that he is keeping his focus on the people of Wyoming."

Freudenthal's tendency to stay behind the scenes prevents him from being much of a public asset to aspiring Democrats.

He has in fact endorsed few state Democratic candidates for office during his nearly six years as governor.

His endorsement of U.S. House candidate Gary Trauner of Wilson in his unsuccessful 2006 race against Rep. Barbara Cubin, R-Wyo., came late in the election and was considered tepid by many campaign watchers.

An endorsement from Freudenthal today would be attractive to many candidates.

A Mason-Dixon poll of 400 likely Wyoming voters last week showed his approval rating at 81 percent, according to the Denver Post.

It's one of the highest for any governor in the nation, and carries an added distinction since many of Freudenthal's voting constituents are members of the Republican Party.

Delegates to the Denver convention defended Freudenthal's tactics, and said his decision to keep a low profile this week could be a good one for Wyoming over the long term.

State Sen. Mike Massie, D-Laramie, said Freudenthal manages to use his position as a popular western Democratic governor to promote the interests of Wyoming, which is different than aggressively pursuing a political career through the national party.

Massie said Freudenthal works hard for state Democratic candidates, but his support is sometimes out of public view.

"He's not a donkey, flag-waving Democrat," added state Rep. Pete Jorgensen, D-Jackson, a convention delegate.

Delegate Lori Millin said one reason Freudenthal keeps a low profile is probably because he doesn't want to alienate the state's many Republicans. He is supportive when it counts, she said.

"I don't think that anyone in this delegation feels he isn't doing enough to support us," Millin said. "He just likes to be behind the scenes."

State Democratic Party Chairman John Millin, husband of Lori Millin, said Freudenthal is careful about whom he supports. It's not enough just to be a Democrat, Millin said.

"I think it's understood by the candidates and the party that it's not blind support for any candidate running for office," Millin added

Freudenthal said he has yet to decide what role he could play in the 2008 election cycle.

All three of the state's congressional seats are up for election this November, and Democrats are contesting each race, including Trauner in the U.S. House race against former state Treasurer Cynthia Lummis.

"At some point, I'll have to sit down and think about it, but I don't have to do it now," said Freudenthal, adding that endorsements in his mind play a limited role in partisan political races in Wyoming.

"Ultimately, these people have to win those elections on their own," he added.

Contact Jared Miller at (307) 632-1244 or jared.miller@trib.com