Vice President Kamala Harris has come under fire from conservatives and critics on social media for her pre-recorded video message that was aired at the 79th Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner.
The Vice President chose not to attend the event in person, a decision that has not been made by a nominee since Walter Mondale in 1984.
According to Fox News, the video was met with a lukewarm response from the audience, leading to a wave of criticism online. Colin Rugg, co-owner of Trending Politics, shared his thoughts on the video, saying, "Kamala Harris releases her pre-recorded video for the Al Smith dinner in New York that she didn't show up for. Comedian Jim Gaffigan made fun of the Vice President after the crowd gave a dismal applause once it ended. Cringe."
The Alfred E. Smith Dinner is a bipartisan charity event that has become a significant political and cultural event during election seasons. Traditionally, nominees from both political parties attend the dinner, engaging in friendly banter. However, Harris opted to send a video message to the organizers, which was then broadcast to the audience. The video featured comedian Molly Shannon, reprising her "Saturday Night Live" character Mary Katherine Gallagher.
In the video, Shannon's character, dressed as Mary Katherine Gallagher, tells Harris, "I just want to say that I'm Catholic, and tonight is one of the biggest dinners next to the Last Supper." Harris responds, "It is a very important dinner, and it's an important tradition that I'm so proud to be a part of." The video then takes a comedic turn as Shannon's character performs her signature odd behavior of sticking her hands under her armpits and smelling them.
The video also includes a conversation between Harris and Shannon's character, where Harris is advised not to lie and not to say anything negative about Catholics. Harris responds with a jab at former President Donald Trump, saying, "Indeed. Especially thy neighbor's election results."
Despite the comedic tone of the video, it was met with criticism, particularly from those on the Trump team. Even the dinner's emcee, comedian Jim Gaffigan, expressed uncertainty about the audience's reaction to the video, saying, "I don't even know what that noise you're making is. Something like ahhhhh."
Former President Donald Trump, who attended the event and was the featured speaker, took the opportunity to criticize Harris for her absence. He joked, "If you really wanted Vice President Harris to accept your invitation, I guess you should have told her the funds were going to bail out the looters and rioters in Minneapolis, and she would have been here, guaranteed. She would have been guaranteed."
Despite the criticism, some supporters of Harris praised the video on social media, calling it a "must watch" and commending her for skipping the dinner.
Harris concluded her video by invoking the Gospel of Luke, saying, "The Gospel of Luke tells us that faith has the power to shine a light on those living in darkness, and to guide our feet in the path of peace. In the spirit of tonight's dinner, let us recommit to reaching across divides, to seek understanding and common ground. And in honor of the great Al Smith, let us fight to build a better future with faith in God, our country, and in each other."
The Vice President's decision to skip the dinner and the subsequent criticism she received underscores the ongoing political divide and the importance of tradition in political events. While some view her decision as a break from tradition, others see it as a sign of changing times. Regardless, the conversation surrounding the event highlights the significance of the Alfred E. Smith Dinner in the political landscape.
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