Thursday (10/20) is the Al Smith Foundation's Annual Dinner...

[Princess Turandot]

You know, the one where the two presidential nominees have shown up every 4 years for about half a century, as guests of the Archbishop of New York, and make mild jokes about themselves and each other. For example, in 2008 then-Senator Obama quipped that he could 'see the Russian Tea Room' from there, there being the Waldorf. It will likely be shown on CNN.

Donald Trump. Mild jokes about themselves?
Donald Trump. Mild jokes about each other? On the day after the last debate?

God help us. (Pun intended.) They may need to have an exorcist on standby.

Politico has an interesting article on the dinner: Guess who's coming to the Al Smith dinner

(As an aside, I've gone to this dinner a few times over the years, courtesy of various employers. The last time was in 11/2001. In the non-presidential election years, they usually have other politicians speak. Every NY elected official of note was in attendance that year.

The main speaker, though, was someone who was never elected in NY. Yours truly has the dubious distinction of being among the first people (relatively speaking) to be in the same (happily large) room as the Dick, upon his return from that infamous undisclosed location.)

[Drunken Irishman]

2. The Al Smith Dinner has at least become less political.

It was, for a string, extremely anti-Democratic Party. In 2004, neither Bush or Kerry attended due to the Archdiocese opposing Kerry's stance on abortion (since they didn't invite Kerry, they didn't invite Bush). In 1996, the Vice Presidential candidates attended and it's been speculated Clinton wasn't invited due to his vetoing a late-term abortion bill. In 1984, Mondale didn't attend, though, gave the excuse he needed to prepare for an upcoming debate (Reagan did attend, however). In 1980, Jimmy Carter was booed due to his stance on abortion.

It's less political now. Obama was invited in 2008 and again in 2012 and now Hillary in 2016. It'll be interesting how the crowd treats Trump, who is doing very poorly among Catholic voters.

[OnDoutside]

3. As badly advised as he is, it would be a tinderbox to get him to turn up to that.

[Cha]

4. Wow, interesting article! This part I've

read before..

The Al Smith dinner is yet another improvised explosive device waiting for Donald Trump to draw near. He still bears the wounds he suffered in 2011, when President Barack Obama and comedian Seth Myers took turns roasting him at the White House Correspondents Dinner. Many people say the Trump candidacy was born that night, one man’s revenge on a nation that dared to laugh at him.

They were Roasting him because he's a birther. Too bad he was humiliated.. he was trying to humiliate President Obama.. only Obama has thick skin and doesn't let stupid get to him. He makes fun of it. Booom!

And, it's the day after the freaking 3rd debate.

Mahalo, Princess Turandot!

[bettyellen]

5. I'm wondering if this is why he met Dolan the other day?

[Cha]

6. Oh yeah.. maybe!