Barack Obama, tired but clearly pumped up after a decisive victory in the Iowa caucus, reached out to undecided New Hampshire primary voters yesterday, urging them to recognize "this defining moment in our history" and, through him, make a fundamental change in America's politics and policies.

But Hillary Clinton, undaunted, tried to rebound from a third-place finish in Iowa by asking Granite Staters to seriously consider who is better prepared to be President and by stressing her 35 years of experience in working for the causes of the poor and middle class.

Obama, speaking to a raucous crowd of 750 at Concord High School, said, "We have a chance to pull Democrats and Republicans together and stand up strong and say, 'We are one nation. We are one people and our time for change has come.' "

Last night, before about 3,200 Democrats at the state party's annual "100 Club" dinner at the Hampshire Dome in Milford, Obama said: "In four days' time, it is your turn to change America. In four days' time, you can do what the cynics said could not be done.

"In four days' time, you can fundamentally transform this country and make it the kind of country we're proud of.

"You, the people of New Hampshire, have the opportunity to help build the kind of coalition we haven't seen in a generation."

Yesterday, the 46-year-old Illinois senator seemed to easily wear the front-runner trappings suddenly thrust on him. He laid down the gauntlet to rivals Clinton and John Edwards, hinting strongly that if he wins the first-in-the-nation primary, the race for the Democratic nomination will be effectively over.

But Clinton told Democrats last night, "It's time to have a champion for a President again." Taking aim at Obama and Edwards, she said, "I know that everyone wants change. Some think you can make change by demanding it. And some think you make change by hoping for it.

"I think you make change by working really, really hard and by working together to make the change we need. I intend to take all of that experience making all of that change and put it to work for you," she said.

"Are you ready to pick a President?" she asked. "We have to pick a President starting this Tuesday.

"I am not running for President to put Band-Aids on our problems," Clinton said. "I am running for President to solve our problems, including health care.''

Bill Richardson, still in the mix after a fourth-place finish in Iowa, said, "Until we end the war in Iraq, we cannot have universal health care. Until we end the war in Iraq, America cannot become energy independent or be Number 1 in education.

"America is driven widely apart by this war," he said. "I have the clearest plan of all the candidates. I would get all of our troops out in one year, but it would be a plan with diplomacy. It would be plan that says there would be a reconciliation of the three groups in Iraq."

And Dennis Kucinich, battling to remain viable for his liberal causes, asked the Democrats to "have the courage to vote your deepest convictions because all too often we settle for second best.''

"I'm asking you once again to connect with your deepest beliefs," he said. "I am totally aligned with the mainstream beliefs of the Democratic Party."

He called for pulling out of the North American Free Trade Agreement and the World Trade Organization, adding, "It's time to break the hold that the oil companies have on our energy policy."

He said Democrats will "if we stand by the courage of our convictions."

The first-in-the-nation presidential primary is Tuesday, and Granite Staters are notorious for going their own way and not always being led by voting in the Hawkeye State. But with only five days between the caucus and primary, instead of the traditional eight, second-place Iowa finisher Edwards and third-place finisher Clinton must scramble to reverse a flow that threatens to end their candidacies.

Obama swept into Portsmouth from Iowa yesterday morning, telling enthusiastic backers he will be "a President who finally makes health care that is affordable and available to every single American a reality."

He promised to end the war in Iraq and "to free this nation once and for all from the tyranny of foreign oil.''

Clinton, who made her first stop in Nashua with her husband and daughter at her side, told an enthusiastic audience that the race is far from over.

"New Hampshire voters are going to ask, 'Wait a minute. Who will be the best President for this country on Day 1, and who will be able to stand up to the Republican attack machine to get elected in the first place and get to the White House?"

She asked voters not to make a "leap of faith," but to choose a nominee "based on the kind of changes we have already produced.

Clinton supporter state Sen. Lou D'Allesandro of Manchester said her campaign is not in a panic.

"She's got to increase her likability because people recognize her and have confidence in her ability," he said. "They know she is bright and capable, but she has to get more of that retail activity, and she doesn't have much time to do it."

Edwards, also in Manchester, said Granite Staters are independent, and "they don't like to be told what to do" by the national media or the "special interests in Washington." Edwards tapped his heart and said Granite Staters "are looking for someone who speaks from here, who truly believes in this cause, someone who will fight for the middle class."

Edwards did not attend last night's dinner, opting instead to meet undecided voters at a town hall forum in Portsmouth.

The "100 Club," begun in 1959 with special guest John F. Kennedy, has grown steadily over the years, last night drawing an estimated 3,200 guests and more than 230 members of the media worldwide.