Kamala Harris Skips Al Smith Dinner for Battleground Campaign \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Vice President Kamala Harris will skip this year’s Al Smith charity dinner, a key presidential tradition, to focus on campaigning in crucial battleground states ahead of Election Day. The event, held in New York, traditionally brings together candidates from both parties for a night of humor and goodwill. Harris’ team emphasized the need to prioritize swing states over the Democratic stronghold of New York.
Kamala Harris Skips Al Smith Dinner to Focus on Battlegrounds Quick Looks
- Breaking Tradition for Battlegrounds: Kamala Harris will forgo attending the prestigious Al Smith charity dinner to focus her campaign efforts in swing states less than three weeks before Election Day.
- Campaign Strategy Shift: Harris’ team confirmed that they are prioritizing time in battleground states over Democratic-leaning New York, marking a strategic pivot as the race heats up.
- Historic Al Smith Dinner: The event, which has been a presidential election tradition since 1960, serves as a rare occasion where political opponents come together for a night of humor and unity.
- Dolan’s Criticism of Democrats: Cardinal Timothy Dolan, who plays a key role in the dinner, has been openly critical of Democratic policies, leading to some tension over the years, particularly regarding abortion rights.
- Trump’s Attendance Uncertain: It is unclear whether Donald Trump will attend the dinner, continuing a tradition that he and Joe Biden both participated in virtually during the 2020 election.
Deep Look
Vice President Kamala Harris will skip this year’s Al Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner, a cornerstone of presidential election traditions, to focus on campaigning in crucial battleground states ahead of Election Day. The decision to forgo the charity dinner in favor of more time on the campaign trail comes as both Harris and her team place an increased emphasis on winning over swing voters in the final stretch of the election.
The Al Smith Dinner, named for former New York Governor Alfred E. Smith, has long served as a symbol of civility and unity in U.S. politics. Since 1960, it has brought together presidential candidates from opposing parties to share jokes and trade light-hearted barbs, all while raising millions of dollars for Catholic Charities. Traditionally, the white-tie event is seen as a moment where political rivals can come together in a show of good humor, often using the evening to engage in self-deprecating jokes and banter about their campaigns. For decades, this dinner has represented a temporary reprieve from the often heated and divisive nature of political campaigning.
This year’s dinner, scheduled for October 17 in New York, will be missing Harris, who has chosen to spend her time in battleground states that will play a pivotal role in the outcome of the 2024 election. A campaign official confirmed the decision, stating that Harris needs to maximize her presence in swing states rather than in heavily Democratic New York, where the outcome is not in doubt. “Her time is better spent engaging with voters in key battleground states that will ultimately decide this election,” said the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. Harris’ team also noted that she would be willing to attend the dinner in future years if elected president, but for now, her focus remains on winning over undecided voters.
As the campaign intensifies, Harris’ decision to skip the dinner reflects the growing importance of swing states like Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Arizona in determining the next president. With less than three weeks to go before Election Day, Harris and her campaign are doubling down on efforts to sway voters in these critical states, where polling shows tight races. Spending time in these states, engaging directly with voters on key issues like the economy, healthcare, and abortion rights, has become a top priority as the campaign enters its final phase.
Harris’ absence from the Al Smith Dinner breaks with a tradition that has stood for over six decades. The event first became a hallmark of the presidential election season in 1960, when John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon appeared together in a rare moment of civility and good humor. Since then, it has become customary for presidential candidates to attend, using the platform to poke fun at themselves, each other, and the campaign trail. The dinner, named after Alfred E. Smith—the first Roman Catholic presidential nominee—celebrates the spirit of American politics, where even the most bitter rivals can come together for one night in the name of charity.
For Harris, however, the stakes are too high to leave the campaign trail for a night of jokes and camaraderie in a reliably Democratic state. While New York is not in play in the upcoming election, Harris’ campaign sees swing states as the true battlegrounds where the election will be won or lost. Her team is focused on ensuring that her time is used effectively to engage with the voters who could swing the election, especially as polling shows a competitive race between Harris and former President Donald Trump.
Whether Trump himself will attend the dinner remains unclear. His campaign has yet to confirm his attendance, despite his participation in the 2020 event. That year, the dinner was held virtually due to the pandemic, with both Joe Biden and Trump appearing remotely to address the audience. While the 2020 event lacked the humor and good-natured ribbing of previous years, it gave both candidates the chance to appeal to Catholic voters in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis. Unlike past dinners, where the evening was filled with jokes and light-hearted commentary, the virtual event focused on the serious issues facing the nation at the time.
The Al Smith Dinner is also known for its prominent host, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York, who plays a significant role in the evening’s proceedings. However, Dolan has not shied away from criticizing Democratic policies in the past, particularly around issues related to abortion rights. In a 2018 op-ed published in the Wall Street Journal, Dolan accused the Democratic Party of “abandoning Catholics,” a sentiment that has contributed to some tension surrounding Democratic candidates at the dinner over the years. In 1996, the Archdiocese of New York even declined to invite President Bill Clinton and his challenger Bob Dole, reportedly due to Clinton’s veto of a late-term abortion ban.
Historically, the dinner has been seen as a moment for candidates to show a more personal, relatable side, engaging in self-deprecating humor and poking fun at the rigors of the campaign trail. But not every dinner has gone smoothly. In 2016, Trump’s appearance alongside Hillary Clinton produced several awkward moments, particularly when Trump crossed a line by calling Clinton “corrupt,” which led to him being loudly booed by the audience. It was a stark reminder that even in a setting meant for levity, the deep divides of American politics can still seep through.
As Harris focuses on battleground states, the decision to skip the Al Smith Dinner speaks to the evolving nature of campaign strategies in today’s polarized political landscape. The traditional markers of a presidential campaign—like charity dinners and lighthearted moments—are taking a backseat to more aggressive and targeted voter outreach efforts, particularly in states where the margins are razor-thin. Harris is expected to spend much of her remaining campaign time in swing states, aiming to connect with voters on issues like healthcare, economic recovery, and reproductive rights, while also pushing back against Trump’s policies and record.
With the vice president absent and Trump’s attendance unconfirmed, this year’s Al Smith Dinner may be missing some of the usual presidential fanfare. But the dinner will still raise millions for Catholic Charities, continuing its legacy as one of the most prominent charitable events in U.S. politics.
Kamala Harris Skips Kamala Harris Skips
