Concord – Sen. Barack Obama told cheering supporters at a State House rally yesterday that he is the candidate of real change, ready to stand up to special interests.

Obama, 46, an Illinois Democrat, jogged down the State House steps and took the stage after he filed as a candidate in the New Hampshire primary.

Obama told more than 500 supporters that during his first term as president he will pass health care reform that covers all children, close the terrorist detention center at Guantanamo and reverse Bush Administration executive orders that he thinks violate civil liberties.

"People no longer want to see the Constitution treated as a nuisance," he said.

"People are tired of a government that isn't listening... that doesn't think that the role of government is to give people a little help," he said.

An opponent of the war in Iraq from the outset, Obama said he would work to restore America's standing on the world stage.

"We need a President who can bring a new face to American diplomacy; who's willing to talk not just to our friends, but to our enemies; who's willing to engage the world and say 'America's back. We are ready to lead,'" he told the crowd.

He said he would face up to Wall Street and cut tax breaks to the rich while focusing on helping American workers lower their tax burden. He also promised to continue working on improving ethics in government by putting in place limits on lobbyists and well-heeled special interest groups.

Before his speech, Obama signed a commemorative poster in Secretary of State William Gardner's office when he filed as a candidate and paid a $1,000 fee.

He wrote on the poster, "It's time for real change." He told reporters, "and it's gonna start right here in New Hampshire."

Obama has trailed behind Sen. Hillary Clinton in surveys of likely Democratic voters. But he said he thinks the type of retail politicking that marks the New Hampshire primary will help his campaign.

"We are confident we can do well," he said, saying he has a big share of those "voters paying careful attention." He said, "For the casual voter, many of them are still going to be parking their vote with Sen. Clinton because that's the familiar brand name. But when they start paying attention, I think that will only be to our advantage."

The primary is expected to be held in early January, but Gardner has not set an official date yet. National press have reported widely on Gardner's control over the first-in-the-nation nominating contest.

As a nod to that power, Obama made a joking ceremonial bow when he arrived at the door to Gardner's office.

This is the second week of a three-week filing period for candidates who want their names on the primary ballot.