DERRY – Since their one-two finish in last week's Iowa caucuses, Democrats Barack Obama and John Edwards have spent much of their time on New Hampshire's campaign trail painting themselves as agents of change to the staid flavor of Washington politics rival Sen. Hillary Clinton represents.

But Granite Staters said yesterday a tightly packaged sound byte won't be good enough to earn their vote.

"The X-factor for me is going to be what I get from the candidates themselves. I don't go by polls or anything else," Plaistow resident Ron Tye said prior to an Edwards town hall event at Gilbert H. Hood Middle School.

Outside Pinkerton Academy, where Obama held a rally earlier in the day, thousands arrived nearly two hours early to be assured a glimpse at their candidate.

For people like Hampstead's Karl Farmer, it was a chance to see the politician they'll vote for tomorrow.

"This is probably the first primary where I've been really set since the beginning. I believe that Obama exudes a clear-cut difference that makes my mind up easily," he said.

But staying true to its reputation as a stubborn and wildly independent electorate, many showed up with their minds still not made up.

"We have so many options and people to look at, everybody's trying to look at everybody before they make a decision," said Windham resident Cheryl Fiore. "I'm really doing my homework this year." She's not buying claims that Obama and Edwards are ready to sweep into Washington on a platform of change.

"Every election year, that's the operative word. I'm not looking necessarily for change, but somebody who can be strong," she said.

Obama made clear to the audience of more than 1,000 what it would take for him to repeat the success he enjoyed in Iowa - targeting the hundreds of undecided voters who turned out to the event.

"We are coming after you. You are in our sights," he said. "I know there are Republicans and independents outside of Washington who have been disillusioned by government."

Derry's John Ballok admits he falls into that camp, but needs to see more than campaign-ready slogans.

"I'm a little bit fearful of running the country on charisma alone," he said.

In many families, loyalties are split. Manchester's Bill King, a union carpenter, backs Edwards. His wife is supporting Obama.

Same for the Bennetts of Campton. David Bennett likes Obama while his wife, Linda, is standing behind Edwards.

With less than 24 hours before polls open, Bennett said every candidate needs to find a way to cut through the rhetoric.

"I think you have to see concrete substance. There comes a point where you have to talk in specifics," he said.

Wayne Dion, who said he's leaning toward Obama but wanted to see Edwards one last time, summed it up simply.

"I don't know if there's anything else to say," the Hudson man said.