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Vice President Kamala Harris’ decision not to attend a charity event put on by the Archdiocese of New York that every presidential contender has attended with the exception of Democratic nominee Walter Mondale in 1984 is “puzzling,” according to a communications expert.

Brian Browne, the Associate Vice President of University Communications & Public Affairs at St. John’s University, who has attended multiple Al Smith Dinners, said it is a “great, great event” that features the two primary party presidential nominees—this year, Harris and former President Donald Trump—in a light-hearted affair where the two roast each other. The events tend to raise millions for the needy.

Browne also said that the event would not place Harris in any unscripted situations, which it has become obvious her campaign is attempting to avoid, Crux reported. It would also give her the opportunity to engage with the largely Catholic and affluent audience, which, he suggested, could benefit her politically.

“Given she’s the Democratic candidate, she would have access to the best joke writers on the east coast and the west coast who would love the opportunity to write a script. It’s a very scripted event,” Browne told the outlet. “I know she seems to be very dependent on a teleprompter, but it’s a teleprompter event. Yes, you might get some groans if your jokes don’t land, but you’re not going to get booed off the stage or heckled. It’s always this kind of coming together type of moment.”

“It’s a missed opportunity to demonstrate a human side and come together for a charitable cause, and you know, if I was advising her, I would tell her to reconsider this,” he added, noting further that the already special event is made even more so when both presidential contenders are there.

Established in 1946 and officially called the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner, the event commemorates the legacy of Alfred E. Smith, a former four-term governor of New York and the first Catholic to be nominated by a major party in 1928, despite his loss to Herbert Hoover, Crux noted.

Hosted by the Archdiocese of New York, the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner raises millions for Catholic Charities and traditionally serves as a night for candidates to set aside political rivalries and come together for a charitable cause.

According to Browne, who also teaches at St. John’s University’s Department of Government and Politics, Harris’s absence from the event represents a missed chance for the American public to witness both presidential nominees interacting in a friendly, more personal setting during a particularly heated campaign season.

“Yes, it’s a great Catholic event, and obviously, it’s a charitable event that benefits Catholic Charities that serve everybody, but it’s more about, to me, this human factor,” Browne said. “It allows public officials to be both humorous and humble, to be cordial and civil all at the same time.”

The event is scheduled for Oct. 17 this year and it is sold out.

Joseph Zwilling, the director communications for the Archdiocese of New York, confirmed to Crux earlier this week that Harris has declined the invitation to attend the Al Smith Dinner.

“We heard late Saturday afternoon from Vice President Harris’ people that she is unable to attend the dinner,” Zwilling said in a statement. “We are disappointed that she will not be with us, as this is an evening of unity and putting aside political differences in support of a good cause of helping women and children in need regardless of race, creed, or background. We hope she reconsiders.”

Zwilling also confirmed that former President Donald Trump will attend the dinner. Trump himself confirmed this in a Truth Social post on September 23, where he described Harris’s decision to decline the invitation as “sad, but not surprising.”

The post Harris Ripped To Shreds For Skipping Al Smith Charity Dinner appeared first on Conservative Brief.

We support our Publishers and Content Creators. You can view this story on their website by CLICKING HERE.

Vice President Kamala Harris’ decision not to attend a charity event put on by the Archdiocese of New York that every presidential contender has attended with the exception of Democratic nominee Walter Mondale in 1984 is “puzzling,” according to a communications expert.

Brian Browne, the Associate Vice President of University Communications & Public Affairs at St. John’s University, who has attended multiple Al Smith Dinners, said it is a “great, great event” that features the two primary party presidential nominees—this year, Harris and former President Donald Trump—in a light-hearted affair where the two roast each other. The events tend to raise millions for the needy.

Browne also said that the event would not place Harris in any unscripted situations, which it has become obvious her campaign is attempting to avoid, Crux reported. It would also give her the opportunity to engage with the largely Catholic and affluent audience, which, he suggested, could benefit her politically.

“Given she’s the Democratic candidate, she would have access to the best joke writers on the east coast and the west coast who would love the opportunity to write a script. It’s a very scripted event,” Browne told the outlet. “I know she seems to be very dependent on a teleprompter, but it’s a teleprompter event. Yes, you might get some groans if your jokes don’t land, but you’re not going to get booed off the stage or heckled. It’s always this kind of coming together type of moment.”

“It’s a missed opportunity to demonstrate a human side and come together for a charitable cause, and you know, if I was advising her, I would tell her to reconsider this,” he added, noting further that the already special event is made even more so when both presidential contenders are there.

Established in 1946 and officially called the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner, the event commemorates the legacy of Alfred E. Smith, a former four-term governor of New York and the first Catholic to be nominated by a major party in 1928, despite his loss to Herbert Hoover, Crux noted.

Hosted by the Archdiocese of New York, the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner raises millions for Catholic Charities and traditionally serves as a night for candidates to set aside political rivalries and come together for a charitable cause.

According to Browne, who also teaches at St. John’s University’s Department of Government and Politics, Harris’s absence from the event represents a missed chance for the American public to witness both presidential nominees interacting in a friendly, more personal setting during a particularly heated campaign season.

“Yes, it’s a great Catholic event, and obviously, it’s a charitable event that benefits Catholic Charities that serve everybody, but it’s more about, to me, this human factor,” Browne said. “It allows public officials to be both humorous and humble, to be cordial and civil all at the same time.”

The event is scheduled for Oct. 17 this year and it is sold out.

Joseph Zwilling, the director communications for the Archdiocese of New York, confirmed to Crux earlier this week that Harris has declined the invitation to attend the Al Smith Dinner.

“We heard late Saturday afternoon from Vice President Harris’ people that she is unable to attend the dinner,” Zwilling said in a statement. “We are disappointed that she will not be with us, as this is an evening of unity and putting aside political differences in support of a good cause of helping women and children in need regardless of race, creed, or background. We hope she reconsiders.”

Zwilling also confirmed that former President Donald Trump will attend the dinner. Trump himself confirmed this in a Truth Social post on September 23, where he described Harris’s decision to decline the invitation as “sad, but not surprising.”

The post Harris Ripped To Shreds For Skipping Al Smith Charity Dinner appeared first on Conservative Brief.

We support our Publishers and Content Creators. You can view this story on their website by CLICKING HERE.

Vice President Kamala Harris’ decision not to attend a charity event put on by the Archdiocese of New York that every presidential contender has attended with the exception of Democratic nominee Walter Mondale in 1984 is “puzzling,” according to a communications expert.

Brian Browne, the Associate Vice President of University Communications & Public Affairs at St. John’s University, who has attended multiple Al Smith Dinners, said it is a “great, great event” that features the two primary party presidential nominees—this year, Harris and former President Donald Trump—in a light-hearted affair where the two roast each other. The events tend to raise millions for the needy.

Browne also said that the event would not place Harris in any unscripted situations, which it has become obvious her campaign is attempting to avoid, Crux reported. It would also give her the opportunity to engage with the largely Catholic and affluent audience, which, he suggested, could benefit her politically.

“Given she’s the Democratic candidate, she would have access to the best joke writers on the east coast and the west coast who would love the opportunity to write a script. It’s a very scripted event,” Browne told the outlet. “I know she seems to be very dependent on a teleprompter, but it’s a teleprompter event. Yes, you might get some groans if your jokes don’t land, but you’re not going to get booed off the stage or heckled. It’s always this kind of coming together type of moment.”

“It’s a missed opportunity to demonstrate a human side and come together for a charitable cause, and you know, if I was advising her, I would tell her to reconsider this,” he added, noting further that the already special event is made even more so when both presidential contenders are there.

Established in 1946 and officially called the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner, the event commemorates the legacy of Alfred E. Smith, a former four-term governor of New York and the first Catholic to be nominated by a major party in 1928, despite his loss to Herbert Hoover, Crux noted.

Hosted by the Archdiocese of New York, the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner raises millions for Catholic Charities and traditionally serves as a night for candidates to set aside political rivalries and come together for a charitable cause.

According to Browne, who also teaches at St. John’s University’s Department of Government and Politics, Harris’s absence from the event represents a missed chance for the American public to witness both presidential nominees interacting in a friendly, more personal setting during a particularly heated campaign season.

“Yes, it’s a great Catholic event, and obviously, it’s a charitable event that benefits Catholic Charities that serve everybody, but it’s more about, to me, this human factor,” Browne said. “It allows public officials to be both humorous and humble, to be cordial and civil all at the same time.”

The event is scheduled for Oct. 17 this year and it is sold out.

Joseph Zwilling, the director communications for the Archdiocese of New York, confirmed to Crux earlier this week that Harris has declined the invitation to attend the Al Smith Dinner.

“We heard late Saturday afternoon from Vice President Harris’ people that she is unable to attend the dinner,” Zwilling said in a statement. “We are disappointed that she will not be with us, as this is an evening of unity and putting aside political differences in support of a good cause of helping women and children in need regardless of race, creed, or background. We hope she reconsiders.”

Zwilling also confirmed that former President Donald Trump will attend the dinner. Trump himself confirmed this in a Truth Social post on September 23, where he described Harris’s decision to decline the invitation as “sad, but not surprising.”

The post Harris Ripped To Shreds For Skipping Al Smith Charity Dinner appeared first on Conservative Brief.