Hillary Clinton v. Donald Trump: Final Face-Off at the Al Smith Dinner
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.
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 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.
