Vice President Kamala Harris was noticeably absent at the 2024 Al Smith Dinner, an event hosted by the Archdiocese of New York. Instead, she sent in a pre-recorded video featuring former “Saturday Night Live” actress Molly Shannon, who brought back her iconic character Mary Katherine Gallagher. In the skit, Shannon interrupted Harris’ remarks and warned her against making fun of Catholics.
The video attempted to bring humor by poking fun at the Church and the importance of the Al Smith Dinner compared to the Last Supper. However, the audience, which paid $5,000 per plate, seemed underwhelmed by Harris’ comedic performance. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Archbishop Timothy Cardinal Dolan appeared unimpressed, while comedian Jim Gaffigan, the emcee, commented on the lukewarm reaction.
Some social media users criticized the skit as tone-deaf and offensive to Catholics, expressing their disappointment with the content. Despite the annual nature of the event and its charitable purpose, Harris’s decision to skip the dinner in favor of a rally in Wisconsin raised questions within her own party. While some believed it was a strategic move given the proximity to Election Day, others saw it as a missed opportunity for national media coverage and outreach to the Catholic community.
The Al Smith Dinner has been a tradition since 1946, allowing presidential candidates to set aside politics and engage in light-hearted banter. Harris joins a short list of nominees who have chosen not to attend, a decision that has sparked debate among Democrats about the implications for her campaign. While opinions differ on the significance of her absence, it remains to be seen whether it will impact the election outcomes.
