Vice President Kamala Harris has made the unconventional decision to forgo a long-standing political tradition in favor of campaign trail priorities.
According to CBS News, Harris will not attend this year's Al Smith charity dinner in New York, an event that has been a customary stop for major presidential candidates. Instead, the Vice President plans to focus her efforts on campaigning in battleground states as the election approaches.
The Al Smith dinner, benefiting Catholic Charities, has historically served as a platform for presidential candidates from both parties to showcase their ability to engage in good-natured humor and collegiality. Harris's decision to skip the event marks a departure from this tradition, raising questions about campaign strategy and the changing landscape of presidential politics.
A campaign official confirmed that Harris's absence from the dinner is part of a strategic effort to maximize her time in key states ahead of Election Day. The official noted that Harris would welcome the opportunity to attend the event as president if elected in November.
The decision underscores the intense focus on battleground states in this election cycle. With polls indicating tight races in several crucial states, the Harris campaign appears to be prioritizing direct voter engagement over traditional campaign events.
This move may also reflect a changing attitude towards long-standing political customs. As campaigns become increasingly data-driven and focused on efficiency, events like the Al Smith dinner may be seen as less critical to the overall strategy.
The Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner, named after the former New York governor who was the first Roman Catholic to be nominated for president by a major party in 1928, has been a staple of presidential campaigns since 1960. It has traditionally been viewed as an opportunity for candidates to demonstrate their ability to set aside partisan differences, if only for one night.
However, in recent years, there has been some controversy surrounding the event. In 2016, then-candidate Donald Trump's appearance at the dinner was met with boos from some audience members who felt he had crossed a line with his remarks about Hillary Clinton.
Cardinal Timothy Dolan, who plays a prominent role in the dinner, has also been critical of Democrats in recent years. In 2018, he penned an op-ed for the Wall Street Journal titled "The Democrats Abandon Catholics," potentially complicating the relationship between Democratic candidates and the event.
Harris's decision to skip the Al Smith dinner may signal a broader shift in campaign strategy for the Democratic ticket. By focusing on battleground states, the campaign appears to be prioritizing direct voter outreach over traditional media events and ceremonial appearances.
This approach could have both positive and negative implications for public perception. On one hand, it may resonate with voters who appreciate a more focused, ground-level campaign. On the other, it could be seen as a snub to a long-standing tradition and potentially alienate some Catholic voters.
The Trump campaign has not yet indicated whether the former president will attend the dinner. Given the mixed reception he received in 2016, his decision could also have significant implications for the event's relevance in this election cycle.
Vice President Kamala Harris has chosen to skip the Al Smith charity dinner, a traditional campaign stop for presidential candidates, in favor of focusing on battleground states. This decision marks a departure from long-standing political custom and reflects a strategic prioritization of direct voter engagement. The move underscores the intense focus on key states in this election cycle and may signal a broader shift in campaign strategies for high-profile candidates.
