Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama swept through New York City on July 9 to raise money toward retiring his former rival’s campaign debt and soothe lingering tensions with some of her supporters.

Obama delivered a modified version of his stump speech to about 1,000 donors at the Grand Hyatt New York in Midtown Manhattan. He kept a jovial, if muted tone, laughing at his own jokes and working to build a rapport with still-skeptical supporters of Sen. Hillary Clinton (D).

“Many of you in the room, understandably, supported her in the primary, not only out of loyalty but because she inspired you,” he said, referring to Clinton’s substantial edge among New Yorkers during the campaign. “Senator Hillary Clinton and I agree on 98.9 percent of the issues. What she fights for, I fight for. What I believe in, she believes in.”

He was careful to note two of the most contentious of those issues where they do not see exactly eye-to-eye: health care and American. support for Israel. Their differences on those issues produced perhaps the most rancorous moments of the campaign, with the candidates trading barbs over who supported universal health care and Clinton supporters expressing skepticism over whether Obama would firmly support Israel.

“Senator Hillary Clinton and Senator Barack Obama agree on the fact that we’re going to put forth a plan that says that if you have health insurance, we’re going to lower your premiums, we’re going to work on reducing cost,” he said, referring to himself in the third person. “And if you don’t have health care, we’re going to make sure that you get health care.”

Obama also attempted to rebuff recent criticism over remarks that many of his supporters perceived as backing down from his strong anti-war position, responsible in large part for his success in courting the Democrats’ activist base.

“I understand why people were skeptical, despite the fact that I hadn’t said anything that would suggest that I’d changed my position,” he said. “Don’t be confused by a few reports out there—I will end this war.”

In a minor faux pas, Obama concluded his remarks without specifically asking his supporters to donate to Clinton’s debt-ridden campaign. After the music began to play and the microphones had been turned off, he cut in and jumped back on stage, reminding the audience of what was undoubtedly the key feature of the event.

“There are many supporters of mine here who have not yet given something to help her retire her debt,” he said, encouraging supporters to pick up contribution forms under their seats. “That is part of the process of making sure that we are unified moving forward.”

He then joined Clinton Thursday morning for a second fund-raiser aimed at courting her loyal female supporters, some of whom have yet to warm to the Illinois senator. City Council Speaker Christine Quinn (D) and New York first lady Michelle Paterson were also in attendance.

“I understand how challenging it is to turn on a dime,” Clinton said after a minute-long standing ovation. “Anyone who voted for me has so much in common with those who voted for Barack, and it is critical that we join forces.”

Obama struck key policy notes important to Clinton’s base of female supporters, such as ensuring equal pay and expanding the Family and Medical Leave Act.

“We take it for granted that women are the backbone of our families, but we too often ignore the fact that women are also the backbone of our middle class,” he said.

He took every opportunity to praise his former rival, acknowledging that he would need her help as well as that of her husband, former President Bill Clinton, to unify the party ahead of the general election.

“I’ve admired her as a leader, I’ve learned from her as a candidate, I am proud to call her my friend,” he said. “And I know that I desperately need her and Bill Clinton involved in this campaign.”

sgentile@cityhallnews.com

– Additional reporting by Susan Campriello and Michael Szeto.