Staff Reports
In the political arena, timing can be everything, and one particular event has brought this to light: the Al Smith Dinner. This annual gathering, steeped in tradition and laughter, has been a platform for presidential candidates to showcase their personalities for over 40 years. However, it seems that Kamala Harris has decided to skip this joyful occasion, and many are raising their eyebrows, wondering why. After all, can’t even a politician enjoy a little nibble and giggle?
The Al Smith Dinner is known for its mix of light-hearted humor and light-hearted ribbing between candidates. You might say it’s like a political roast but with better cuisine and fewer flames. Harris’s absence can be seen as a missed opportunity to connect with voters on a more human level. A recent debate highlighted that voters still feel they don’t really know who she is, making this event a perfect stage to show her lighter side—an effort made easier if she had someone jotting down a joke or two for her. Instead, it seems she’s opted for something more scripted.
Former aides and observers have noted that Harris has sometimes struggled in unscripted settings, which adds an interesting twist to her decision not to attend the dinner. In fact, there’s a tale that her team once held a mock dinner to ease her anxiety before attending a similar event. If Harris finds it challenging to tackle a salon-style dinner, questions arise about how she plans to handle larger, more formal gatherings—like those at the White House?
And speaking of larger gatherings, Joe Biden’s own challenges have not gone unnoticed. With the current sitting president also showing signs of trouble, one can’t help but wonder how the dynamics within the administration are shaping perception. If Biden can manage a state dinner while appearing to “forget” some crucial details, one has to ponder what the future holds for Harris. Her choice to bypass a significant event that’s designed to promote unity raises eyebrows in the political landscape. What does this say about her readiness for the spotlight?
Those who argue for the lighter side of politics often look back fondly at the moments when Donald Trump made the crowd bust up with laughter during the 2016 dinner. Instead of finding common ground, it seems that Harris’s decision to withdraw leans towards an increasingly robotic persona. Even as she has called for unity in other venues, like her recent appearance at a confusing event—one that was less than friendly to Republicans—it is bewildering that she wouldn’t embrace a chance to foster a sense of camaraderie at an affair known for its light-hearted nature.
While some may find humor in her absence, others view it as a sign of missed connections and opportunities. The Al Smith Dinner could have been the stage where Kamala Harris won over skeptics by showcasing a side of herself yet to see the light of day. Instead, her decision not to attend adds one more question mark to her already complicated public image. Be it anxiety or strategy, one thing’s for sure: the political season is heating up, and having a solid sense of humor could be just as crucial as the policies they bring to the table. Who knew a dinner could hold the key to that elusive quality of warmth in politics? Guess looks like we’ll have to wait until next year!
