Harris abstains from Catholic charity dinner, contrary to decades-old tradition

Washington, DC Newsroom, September 23, 2024 / 5:15 p.m.

Vice President Kamala Harris is breaking with four decades of political tradition by rejecting the Al Smith Dinner, a charity event hosted by the Catholic Archdiocese of New York.

The New York Post reported Saturday that Harris decided to stay away from the event, marking the first time a presidential candidate has declined a dinner invitation since then-Democratic nominee Walter Mondale did so in 1984.

New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan, who as archbishop has hosted the dinner in recent years and sat between the two candidates, reacted to the decision by telling reporters that the archdiocese was “disappointed.”

According to a video of a press conference posted online on Monday by Dolan's podcast “The Good Newsroom,” the cardinal said the archdiocese was “looking forward to giving the vice president an enthusiastic welcome.”

“We are not used to this and do not know how to deal with it,” he said, pointing out that Mondale lost 49 of 50 states after rejecting the archdiocese's invitation.

“I don't want to say there is a direct connection,” he said with a smile, “but we are not used to it and we are not giving up.”

Joseph Zwilling, communications director for the Archdiocese of New York, confirmed to CNA that Harris' staff informed the archdiocese on Saturday that the vice president was “unable” to attend the dinner. Harris' staff said she would not attend the dinner so she could campaign in key swing states instead, according to the New York Post.

Former President Donald Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, will attend the black-tie event, where a plate costs $5,000, to be held in New York City on Oct. 17, Karoline Leavitt, Trump's 2024 national press secretary, told CNA.

Trump said in a Monday Truth Social post that Harris' decision to stay away from the event was consistent with what he called her “history of anti-Catholic actions.”

“It's sad but not surprising that Kamala decided not to attend,” Trump said. “I don't know what she has against our Catholic friends, but it must be a lot because she certainly hasn't been very nice to them.”

Trump said that Catholics were being “literally persecuted” by the Biden-Harris administration and that “any Catholic who votes for Comrade Kamala Harris should have their head examined.”

First held in 1946, the Al Smith Dinner is named in honor of the first Catholic to run for president and raises millions of dollars for Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York.

The event was attended by some of the most prominent political and cultural figures of the 20th and 21st centuries. Since John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon attended the dinner in 1960, it has been a tradition for both presidential candidates to attend and exchange playful jokes about each other.

This year's dinner will feature well-known Catholic comedian Jim Gaffigan as master of ceremonies.

Dolan said the archdiocese has not given up hope that Harris will attend. He said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who represents New York, and New York Governor Kathy Hochul are “working hard to convince her to come.”

“Senator Schumer told me, 'I don't think she's made the decision. I think her schedule says she can't make it,'” Dolan said. “So we're not giving up and we're hoping she'll be there. It's a great night and a night of fun and friendship with an extraordinarily noble goal.”

(The story continues below)

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Bill Donohue, president of the Catholic League, a national Catholic civil rights group, told CNA that Harris' decision was “probably a good move” given the format of the event.

“This is a high-profile event, heavily covered by the media, and attended by New York celebrities from all walks of life. It's a light-hearted atmosphere, giving both candidates a chance to 'taunt' each other. I suspect Vice President Kamala Harris is not used to this kind of environment,” Donohue said.

“Her subpar ability to think quickly must surely have been a reason she declined,” he said. “The event would play to Trump's strengths – he's a New Yorker – and her weaknesses.”