The Vice President of the United States, Kamala Harris, has decided to skip this year’s Al Smith charity dinner in New York so she can focus on campaigning in battleground states leading up to the election. This decision breaks with presidential tradition as the dinner is typically used to promote collegiality and good humor among candidates from both parties. Harris’ team believes her time would be better spent in key states that will determine the election outcome rather than in heavily Democratic New York. If elected, Harris has expressed willingness to attend the dinner in the future as President.
The Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner, named after former New York governor and the first Roman Catholic to be nominated for president by a major party in 1928, raises millions of dollars for Catholic charities. It has become a tradition for presidential candidates to attend, showcasing a moment of unity as leaders vying for the highest office in the nation come together for one night. However, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, a prominent figure at the dinner, has been critical of Democrats in the past, including penning a 2018 op-ed titled “The Democrats Abandon Catholics.”
President Donald Trump’s campaign response to attending the dinner remains unknown, as he faced criticism in 2016 for his remarks targeting Democrat Hillary Clinton and Catholics in attendance. Both Trump and Joe Biden, a Catholic, spoke at last year’s gala, which was held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The event usually serves as a platform for candidates to appeal to Catholic voters, but in recent years, the tone has shifted towards more serious speeches addressing pressing issues like the economy and public health.
The dinner has a long history, dating back to Richard Nixon and John F. Kennedy’s joint appearance in 1960. However, in 1996, the Archdiocese of New York chose not to invite then-President Bill Clinton and his Republican opponent Bob Dole due to political reasons. Trump’s 2016 appearance began lightheartedly but quickly turned sour as he made controversial remarks about his political opponents, setting a tone of bitterness and insults. This year’s event is scheduled for October 17 and will likely feature a mix of virtual and in-person elements, given the ongoing challenges posed by the pandemic.
While the Al Smith charity dinner has traditionally been a moment of bipartisan unity and light-hearted humor, recent years have seen tensions rise as political divisions deepen. Harris’ decision to skip the event in favor of campaign stops in battleground states highlights the intense focus on key swing regions in the final stretch of the election. The absence of a united front at the dinner may signal a shift in the tone of political discourse, as candidates prioritize direct engagement with voters over traditional formalities. As the election draws near, the impact of Harris’ absence and potential reactions from other candidates remain to be seen.
