A top Democratic strategist complimented former President Donald Trump’s decision not to engage in a second debate with Vice President Kamala Harris while also chastising her for skipping out on a traditional charity dinner sponsored by the Archdiocese of New York. In an interview with Fox News anchor Bret Baier, strategist Mark Penn indicated that Trump’s decision was a smart move while also rapping Harris for her decision to skip the Al Smith Dinner, where presidential contenders roast each other in a light-hearted evening that raises millions for needy families.
“I think her positioning that Donald Trump is unacceptable and a threat to democracy means it’s very hard for her to go to a forum and just joke with him, because I think that gives him kind of the respect of a colleague running for president that she doesn’t want to give him,” Penn told Baier.
“I think it’s a bad thing that she’s not going, and I think Trump’s decision on the debate basically does make sense at this point. It’s too risky for him in the final days. He thinks there’s a natural arc here where she’s peaked and now she’s going to really have to figure out ways to get another point or two which are declining,” he added.
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Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the archbishop of New York, said Monday that he is disappointed Harris is not planning to attend the dinner, a traditional stop for presidential campaigns. He noted that a candidate hasn’t declined his invitation “since Walter Mondale… And remember, he lost 49 out of 50 states.”
“We’re disappointed, we were looking forward to giving the vice president an enthusiastic welcome. And we are confident the vice president would find this — you know, she speaks so much about the high ideals and how it is good to get away from division and come together in unity, and that’s something else this dinner is all about,” Dolan told an audience in Yonkers, N.Y.
“We haven’t given up yet. We’re not used to this. This hasn’t happened in 40 years since Walter Mondale turned down the invitation. And remember, he lost 49 out of 50 states. I don’t want to say there’s a direct connection there, but we’re not used to this and we’re not giving up. You know who’s been a help to us? Sen. Schumer and Gov. Hochul have both been working hard to convince her to come,” Dolan said, adding: “Sen. Schumer said to me, ‘I don’t think she made the decision. I think her scheduler was saying she can’t make it.’ So we’re not giving up. I hope she’s here.”
