(PatriotNews.net) – Vice President Kamala Harris is skipping the famous Al Smith fundraiser dinner this year, according to reports from her campaign team. The event, a well-known tradition during presidential elections, brings together both the Democrat and Republican nominees for some light-hearted jokes and speeches.
Harris, who is the Democrat’s candidate for president, has decided to focus on campaigning in a battleground state instead of attending the dinner, according to CNN. Her team informed the organizers that she won’t be making an appearance this year. The event usually takes place in a grand ballroom in Manhattan, and it’s already sold out, with about 1,500 people expected to attend.
The Al Smith dinner is a Catholic charity event with a long history, and it’s known for the two major-party candidates playfully roasting each other. It’s a break from the serious tone of the campaign trail, offering some humor in the midst of election season. In past years, the event has featured several notable presidential candidates, including Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, who both attended in 2016. They took turns making jokes about themselves and each other, in front of a room full of guests. Trump also attended the dinner in 2020.
This tradition started in 1960 with then-candidates John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon, who both took part in the event. Since then, it’s become a regular part of the election year calendar, though there have been a few exceptions. For instance, the presidential candidates didn’t attend the Al Smith dinner in the 1996, 2000, and 2004 elections.
Though Harris won’t be attending, the event will carry on as usual, and it remains a highly anticipated night for those who follow the political scene. Even without the candidates, it’s still expected to be a lively evening.
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