Nashua – Fewer than 48 hours before polls opened in the Granite State's presidential primary, U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., rallied her troops here yesterday.

Most of those at Nashua High School North were strong supporters of Sen. Clinton's run for the Democratic Party's nomination, although some Republican and independent voters also turned out. Clinton did her best to sway those independent voters into her column yesterday, and differentiated herself from her opponents - particularly U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill. Fresh off a win in Iowa, Obama could gain crushing momentum in the race with a win in New Hampshire.

"We have an overflow crowd - they say there are about 3,500 people out here," Clinton told the crowd, which cheered in response. The crowd cheered again when she asked them how they liked Saturday night's debate between the Democratic contenders.

Whoever gave Clinton the crowd estimate was a bit generous. In all, perhaps 2,000 turned out for the event, while a Nashua fire marshal on scene estimated the crowd at about 1,800. Nearly all were able to make it inside the main gymnasium, although about 150 people were sent to an overflow room next door.

Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., poses with supporters at a rally in Nashua yesterday.

"Last night, you saw what some of the differences are," Clinton told the crowd.

What was important about the debate, Clinton went on to say, was that it made perfectly clear the differences among the Democratic candidates. She encouraged ralliers to elect "a doer, not a talker."

During her remarks, Clinton also reiterated two other themes she has brought up on the campaign trail: first, that she has been a longtime agent for change; and second, that she has the experience to take on the job of President.

"We also want a President that can go to work on the first day," Clinton said.

Clinton's supporters were loud and boisterous, and the closer they were to the candidate, the louder they were. Those a bit farther away were more subdued, but even there, supporters were pretty vocal in their enthusiasm for the candidate.

Most who attended were from New Hampshire - and most were strong supporters of the senator's campaign. They were also confident about Clinton's chances in the Granite State.

"I think her views on the war are very good and her concern for health care - I think she's got a good plan for that," said Nashua resident Dan Almgren. "I've just got a real good feeling about the Clintons."

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"I think she's a better candidate, who can handle things and get it done. She's a better candidate against the Republicans," said Allenstown voter Francine Joseph.

Those who weren't in Clinton's camp were also impressed with her, though.

"I watched her in the debate last night and I was impressed," said Hudson resident Edmund Czohara, an independent. He thought Clinton would win in New Hampshire.

"She has the experience, and that'll be the deciding factor, that's for sure," Czohara said.

Even some Republicans, who were impressed with her political skills, attended the rally. So did at least one Obama supporter.

"I could, potentially, be voting for her in the future," said Sarah Szubowicz of Merrimack. However, she still liked Obama's chances.

"I think he has a very good chance of winning. In Iowa, I think he proved himself over there - no one thought he could win, but he did," Szubowicz said.

However, not everyone in attendance was from the Granite State.

There were many cars with Massachusetts license plates parked at or near the school. One man said he was part of a group of some 60 Clinton volunteers from New York. Some in attendance were from even farther away.

"In Chicago, you can't get in something like this," said Christine Prusank, a Windy City resident who traveled to New Hampshire to watch the primary spectacle.

Prusank, however, was rather disappointed yesterday. She was among those sent to the overflow room, where the mood during the middle of the rally was a bit glum. Clinton's remarks were piped in via a sound system, but the crowd simply listened - there was none of the energy that was next door.

Prusank was surprised there wasn't a television or other visual broadcast of the rally in the overflow gym, perhaps 50 feet from the regular gymnasium.

"They took all these people in the hall and said they would get in, but the fire marshal cut them off," Prusank said.

However, in the end, Prusank did get to see Clinton -who made a point of coming through and shaking her supporters' hands - at 3:10 p.m., more than two hours after she first took the stage.

Despite the wait, the overflow crowd was forgiving. Clinton was met with cheers, as well as a few shouts of "We love you, Hillary!"