Staff Reports
The recent Al Smith Dinner in New York City turned out to be quite the event, even if it was missing one very prominent guest. Vice President Kamala Harris decided to skip this annual Catholic charity event, marking the first time since Walter Mondale in 1984 that a presidential candidate has opted out. Comedian Jiff Gaffigan took to the mic to roast Harris for her notable absence, reminding everyone that ignoring a room full of Catholics is no trivial matter.
Gaffigan, ever the sharp-witted commentator, aptly described the dinner as the Catholic Met Gala, highlighting that a significant 22% of Americans identify as Catholic. He pointedly questioned the vice president’s absence, which made attendees burst into laughter. One might think that Harris, with an eye on those all-important battleground states, would prioritize engaging with this demographic. Still, apparently, she had other plans, perhaps more comfortable ones that didn’t involve a room full of faithful voters.
Jim Gaffigan is ROASTING Kamala at the Al Smith Dinner. 🔥
"Why is VP Harris not here? This is a room full of Catholics and Jews…in New York city. This is a layup for the Democratic nominee." 💯#AlSmithDinner #KamalaDumpsterFire #JimGaffigan 🔈👇 pic.twitter.com/lTjfomsuzo
— MAGA Marie 🦅🇺🇸 (@galacticaactual) October 18, 2024
The comedian continued his humorous assault by taking a jab at Harris’s penchant for cozy interviews instead of facing a crowd that might challenge her. He quipped about her appearances on friendlier platforms like The View, Howard Stern, and Stephen Colbert, even mentioning the infamous Call Her Daddy podcast. It seems that while she might not be up for a rousing discussion with Catholics, she’s perfectly happy to chat with party-friendly hosts who likely won’t ask the hard questions.
Gaffigan didn’t stop there. He even threw in a light-hearted inquiry to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, playfully wondering if the vice president was avoiding him thanks to some poor breath. This playful banter at the expense of Harris paints a picture of a VP who loves to dodge real engagement yet can’t pass up the limelight on superficial talk shows.
Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the Archbishop of New York, joined in on the disappointment regarding Harris’s absence, expressing that the event transcended political lines and stood for patriotism and humor. He made it clear that the Al Smith Dinner is meant to celebrate all Americans, regardless of party affiliation. Perhaps if Harris had taken the chance to attend, she might have learned something about connecting with constituents who aren’t just behind a plasma screen. But then again, mingling with the common folk at such an event might have been too risky for a politician more accustomed to scripted and star-studded appearances.
