By ASSOCIATED PRESS

Wed Dec 19, 2007 10:44 pm

He says he's getting better at the game and campaigning

PORTSMOUTH, N.H. — Democrat Bill Richardson donned a pair of blue shoes Wednesday — though not suede — and tried his hand at candlepin bowling, a tougher, New England version of the game.

The results were mixed. But he's working on it.

Huddling with a group of veteran players on lane number eight at the Bowl-O-Rama, the New Mexico governor and former college baseball pitcher gripped the pearly bowling ball like a softball.

"Is this the hold?" Richardson asked, before taking a few turns that included a gutter ball and a roll that went through a gap he blasted on the first try.

"Sorry guys," he said with a shrug after the last roll.

Richardson has played regular bowling, where the balls and pins are bigger, but never this game, where it's entirely possible to roll the smaller, 4½-inch diameter ball and not hit anything.

The results? He knocked down three of 10 pins, but scored many smiles and handshakes with voters who said they would give him a closer look.

Portsmouth teacher Karen Jacoby, 45, told Richardson she supports him, but is worried about his electability.

"We haven't been hearing about Bill Richardson," Jacoby, 45, told a reporter afterward. "I do think that Bill Richardson has the best resume when you look at what he's done but he's not getting his name out there."

Richardson said he's working on it.

"Bowling and candlepin is unique and I obviously am an amateur," he said with a smile. "And campaigning in New Hampshire is unique, but I'm getting better at it, because I practice it, I feel I've got momentum. What's unique about New Hampshire voters is they're fiercely independent and they're totally open minded so I feel I have a chance to do well here."