Harris slated to attend famed Al Smith charity dinner ‘on screen’ after snubbing Catholic group

Vice President Kamala Harris is expected to appear “on screen” at the Al Smith charity dinner Thursday, breaking with decades of tradition and contradicting earlier reports that she would skip the event altogether, the Daily Caller News Foundation has learned.

Harris was slated to be the first presidential candidate in decades to skip the event, which benefits Catholic charities that support children’s medical and financial needs. Now, Harris plans to join the Oct. 17 event “on screen, likely via video,” according to a Friday email from the vice chair of the Al Smith Foundation’s board of directors, Mary Erdoes.

“Although we traditionally have had the privilege of hosting two presidential candidates, unfortunately, Vice President Kamala Harris is still unable to join us this year due to conflicts with her campaign schedule,” Erdoes wrote. “Please know that we exhausted every possible effort and connection we had to try to get her there, but to no avail. While we will miss her on the Dais, she will be joining us on screen, likely via video.”

Googled “Al Smith Dinner”, which Kamala is avoiding because she is unpopular AND unfunny

She is the first presidential candidate to skip since 1984

So what does Google say?

“Why it is smart for Kamala Harris to skip the Al Smith dinner”

“Why it won’t sway voters”

Rigged pic.twitter.com/tuJB6JnqRy

— Arynne Wexler (@ArynneWexler) October 13, 2024

It’s unclear whether Harris’ attendance “on screen, likely via video,” will be a pre-recorded video, or whether Harris will deliver remarks live on a video call.

Unlike Harris, former President Donald Trump confirmed on Sept. 21 that he would attend the 79th Al Smith dinner in person.

Cardinal Timothy Dolan, archbishop of New York, said on Sept. 24 that he was “disappointed” Harris would not be attending the event. The last presidential candidate to skip the event was President Ronald Reagan’s unsuccessful Democratic challenger Walter Mondale, who declined to attend in 1984.

The Harris campaign and the Archdiocese of New York did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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