Kamala Harris skips the Al Smith dinner: Letters to the Editor Oct. 22, 2024

Vice President Harris did not attend the annual Al Smith Dinner in New York (“Don roasts the lowly ghost,” Oct.18).

This event raises funds for Catholic charities.Not to mention, the Catholic church is the largest single church in America and its members could help decide the presidency.Many presidential candidates, regardless of their faith, have attended this event.

But I guess Harris was too busy running for president.When in the Senate, Harris grilled Brian Buescher, a judicial nominee for the US District Court, about his membership in the Knights of Columbus, a Catholic fraternal organization that also raises funds for charity.She opposed him for his organization’s pro-life views, as well as the Catholic Church’s pro-life views.Frederick Bedell Jr.BelleroseHarris avoiding the Al Smith dinner is an insult to every Catholic in this country.It raises money for Catholic charities and is, therefore, an important part of life in New York.

But I guess she is so thin-skinned that she can’t take a joke about herself, as would happen at this dinner.It exposes her as a weak fraud who does not deserve to be president.Ever.

I hope she never, ever, is going to be president.Mindy RaderNew CityFormer President Donald Trump attended the annual Al Smith Dinner, so why didn’t Harris also attend?Apparently, she was campaigning, and her schedule would not permit her the time to attend.What a bunch of nonsense that is.For one evening, she could have made an appearance to at least show respect for the affair.

She is the first presidential candidate to not attend since former presidential candidate Walter Mondale, who skipped the 1984 dinner.John AmatoFresh MeadowsWhen Harris declines to attend Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to Congress, then declines the invitation to the Al Smith Dinner, she then appears to only care about the Muslim vote in Michigan and Minnesota.She very rarely talks about her religious beliefs — probably because she doesn’t have an...