Presidential candidate Barack Obama launched a two-day offensive on Republican Sens. John Sununu and Judd Gregg, telling New Hampshire voters yesterday that their senators should do more to end the war.

Obama, an Illinois Democrat, told a town hall audience in Rye that Sununu, Gregg and 14 other Republican senators are the main roadblocks to ending the unpopular war in Iraq. Obama backs a plan, endorsed by the Democratic leadership in Congress, which would end the war before President Bush leaves office.

"We are 16 votes short from bringing this war to a close," Obama said. "One of the things that everybody has to do is to help generate those 16 votes. You've got a couple of senators here in New Hampshire."

Although Obama did not name the senators, some in the audience hissed and groaned.

"They need to recognize that our troops have performed valiantly, but it is now time for them to come home," Obama said.

Sununu is up for re-election in 2008 and a top target of Democrats.

Obama also targeted Gregg and Sununu during a town hall meeting in Nashua last month. The criticism will be part of today's statewide canvass. While knocking on doors, an anticipated 1,500 volunteers will circulate a petition that asks Sununu and Gregg to change their vote and support a war-ending measure.

"The only way we're going to make that happen is by having people speaking out - speaking out vigorously and forcefully," Obama said.

It's not the first time Obama has taken aim at a Republican Senate colleague. Earlier this month, he took a shot at Iowa's Sen. Charles Grassley in his home state.

"I respect him greatly," Obama told an audience at Indianaloa's Simpson College. "But I said then and I say now that he needs to hear from you and people across Iowa who understand that it's time to change course."

Obama has made his opposition to the war in Iraq a central tenet of his campaign. He faced criticism after those comments, including from Grassley.

Later last night, Obama was scheduled to address the New Hampshire Trial Lawyers Association. Reporters were not allowed inside.

While in New Hampshire, Obama also mentioned Franconia Police Cpl. Bruce McKay, who was killed a week ago during a traffic stop. About 2,000 people attended the veteran patrolman's funeral Thursday.

"I know that all of New Hampshire has been shaken up by the killing of Cpl. McKay," Obama said. "It's hard, obviously, any time someone falls victim to violence. It's especially tough when it's someone in law enforcement who puts his life on the line every day."

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