The 71st Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner, held at the Waldorf Astoria, is an annual fundraiser benefiting Catholic Charities. It is sponsored by the foundation and hosted by the Archbishop of New York. This year’s host was Timothy Cardinal Dolan.
Al Smith was a four-term New York governor and the first Catholic candidate for president. Every four years, this hot ticket dinner is the last venue for presidential candidates to share space, rub elbows with influential New York leaders, and exchange good-natured barbs. Candidates do not always attend, but this year – this very contentious year – they both did.
Here are both speeches. Donald “won the coin toss” and spoke first. Many of his comments were downright bad hombre nasty. Only Hillary referred to Pope Francis. She retweets him often. @Pontifex.
If you only want to see Hillary, this is her speech.
Read the Transcript of Hillary Clinton’s Speech at the Al Smith Dinner
Trump referred to the Cardinal’s “property” on 5th Avenue. My great-grandfather supplied the granite for St. Patrick’s from his Westchester quarry. Instead of poking fun at himself (the tradition) Trump poked fun at his wife for her purloined, plagiarized speech.
Here are some pics from the event.
Yes. That is Mary Higgins Clark. This is a HUGE Irish-American event.
And, yes, Hillary very graciously greeted Melania Trump.
Cardinal Dolan helped Hillary into her seat. Donald Trump helped himself into his seat and let his wife fend for herself. Whatta gent!!!!
Hillary took most of Trump’s barbs with good humor.
Some of them were pretty nasty from a bad hombre!
Hillary remained good-natured.
The it was Hillary’s turn to speak. She was very funny.
Alfred E. Smith IV is on the right. Great-grandson of the great Alfred E. Smith.
After the Cardinal’s benediction, the event ended. The Trumps exited the Waldorf ASAP. Hillary had a lot of people she had to speak with.
Alfred E. Smith IV and Governor Cuomo, a Westchester neighbor. A.E. Smith IV:
“The Catholic Church is not the largest tax exempt landowner here tonight. ”
A handshake with Trump.
Melissa Mark-Viverito.
Chris Matthews and former police commish Ray Kelly.
Henry Kissinger, who attends every year and is a major donor.
Uncle Joe Biden would call this a big effing deal, and it is. It was. Heartfelt thanks to the Smith family and foundation for their wonderful work and to His Eminence, Cardinal Dolan, for hosting the candidates this crazy election year. Big KUDOS to Hillary for being so funny.
Are you with Hillary? Let her know with a donation!
Still4Hill 
I was glad to hear Hillary remind those eminent guests that Al Smith was a Democrat, thank you.
When Hillary is elected, I believe that Tim Kaine will be only the second Catholic Vice President in our history.
No wonder, the audience booed when that despicable man said that Hillary is pretending not to hate Catholics.
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Michael Daly is a real old-fashioned, gritty reporter who calls it as he sees it with a lot of deep background. He has a very strong opinion about trump’s invitation.
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/10/21/donald-trump-son-of-a-catholic-hater-disgraces-al-smith-dinner.html?via=newsletter&source=DDAfternoon
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Hillary was superb. The other guy–well, the less said, the better. In less than 3 weeks, all of America can speak with one voice and say, Donald, you’re fired!
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