A Change of Pace

As we continue to research, ponder, debate, contemplate, and argue about the issues and candidates of this year's presidential campaign, let us pause and take a step back, just like our two presidential candidates did last night, to look at the big picture. Both nominees attended and spoke at the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation dinner at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York, an event that honors the Catholic politician and reformer who served four terms as governor of NY and ran as the Democratic candidate for president in 1928. Smith truly showed concern for "the least of these," speaking out especially for the needs of "urban residents." According to the foundation's website, "Founded by his eminence Francis Cardinal Spellman in 1946, to honor the memory of Alfred Emanuel Smith, New York's renowned Governor and patron of the 'Little People,' the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation supports and aids the poor, sick, and underprivileged of the Archdiocese of New York, regardless of race, creed, or color." Over the years, the dinner has traditionally featured very prominent politicians and other noteworthy figures as keynote speakers. The foundation's website lists an impressive array of speakers throughout the years, from Dwight D. Eisenhowr to Tony Blair. This was not the first time that presidential candidates appeared at the event, as they are often invited in election years. To name a few, Kennedy and Nixon spoke in 1960, and Bush and Gore appeared in 2000.

The life and work of Al Smith were marked by a deep commitment to the principles of Catholic social teaching, which transcend all parties (as is evident in the USCCB's recent statement "Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship"). For this reason, I think it is especially fitting that an organization of the Catholic Church would be responsible for bringing the two candidates together in this good-natured setting. McCain and Obama sat on either side of his eminence Cardinal Edward Egan. What a striking visual! What a convergence of faith and politics! Here was a prominent Catholic cardinal, deeply committed to his vocation and having received numerous responsibilities and honors from Rome, dining and laughing between the two opposing candidates for the U.S. Presidential election. This demonstrates that the Church, in being faithful to her mission to be the "light of the world" and the "salt of the earth" (Matthew 5) should indeed involve herself in political life. This is not to say that the Church must endorse a candidate, but instead works together with "people of good will" to seek the common good, as Catholic social teaching espouses.

As Obama announced, "I think it is a tribute to American democracy that with two weeks left to go in the hard-fought election the two of us could come together and sit down at the same dinner table without preconditions." The timing of the event was remarkable, taking place just the day after the third presidential debate. What a dramatic switch, from a heated presidential debate to an evening of celebration and laughter in honor of a wonderful Catholic politician! Let me not fail to mention the roasts of the evening! This tradition of the roasts at the memorial dinners attests to the fact that the Church does indeed have a sense of humor. McCain's jabs at himself included references to "Joe the Plumber," his seven houses, and several other idiosyncrasies and actions for which he has been criticized. The jokes McCain directed at Obama included mentions of Obama's tax plan, the "messiah" status he has received, and the tension between Obama and Hillary. Indeed, McCain did not hesitate to include in the roast Hillary, Bill, Biden, and several others. Obama brought these individuals and others up in his roast, as well. Some of Obama's jests at himself referenced his own alleged celebrity status (he clarified that he was not born in a manger but on the planet Krypton), his middle name, and his associations with questionable characters. He poked fun at McCain for the economy and his seven houses, among other things. Towards the end of the roasts, each candidate expressed his praise and respect for his opponent as well for as the work of the Archdiocese of New York, especially the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation.

McCain stated, "I can't wish my opponent luck, but I do wish him well. Whatever the outcome the next month, Senator Obama has achieved a great thing for himself and for his country and I congratulate him. In his own day Governor Al Smith achieved great things as well and traveled a harder path than . . . any presidential candidate before or since. At the Al Smith Foundation and at the archdiocese you are carrying on the spirit and work of this good man with your service to the poor, your comfort of the sick and needy, your belief in the dignity of life, especially your gallant defense of the rights of the unborn. I'm proud to count myself as your friend and ally."


After paying tribute to Tim Russert, Obama offered his own closing words of inspiration, "The fact that each October in the closing weeks of a hard-fought campaign people of all political persuasions can come to this dinner and share a meal in honor of the work of this foundation underscores the reality that no matter what differences or divisions or arguments we are having right now, we ultimately belong to something much bigger and more lasting than a political party. We belong to a community. We share a country. We are all children of God. And in this country there are millions of fellow citizens, our brothers and sisters, who need us very much, especially now . . . Scripture says God creates us for works of service. We are blessed to have so many organizations like this one and the Catholic diocese that perform these acts of God every day, but each of us also has that responsibility. Each of us has that obligation, especially now. So no matter who we are or what we do, what I believe is each of us in this room asks for and hopes for and prays for enough strength and wisdom to do good and to seek justice and play our small
part in building a more hopeful and compassionate world for the generations that will follow. Simply put, [Al]helped people, and that's a distinction we can all aspire to . . . and I have no doubt that if we come together at this moment of crisis with this goal in mind, . . . America will meet this challenge and weather this storm and, in the words of Al Smith, 'walk once more in eternal sunshine' " (On a side note, is it just me or did I see Douglas Kmiec in the audience? I'm not sure, but one man there looked a whole lot like the author's picture on the back of Can a Catholic Support Him?).

Of course, one can ponder whether or not the compliments were truly sincere and the jabs were good natured. I would like to think, however, (and maybe I am being naive) that the exchange last night was indeed amicable and that the two candidates were genuinely enjoying the event. I would suppose that today, however, both candidates have reassumed their stances and have quickly gotten back to work campaigning (McCain jumped right back into "campaign mode" on Letterman last night/this morning, animatedly explaining his policies and lamenting that Obama had not exactly "repudiated" Congressman Lewis for linking McCain and Palin to Eugene Bull Connor). Nevertheless, I found those few moments of last night's roast to be wonderfully refreshing. Not only did both candidates provide us with quite a bit of comic relief, but we were able to witness the Catholic Church's commitment to the common good shining forth. In providing opportunities like this, the Church does not compromise her mission, but indeed provides opportunities for Gospel values to more deeply permeate our world. I think that such efforts are a means of evangelization. The Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation dinner enabled people from many different backgrounds to come together in celebration of a man whose life of compassionate service was inspired by his faith in Jesus Christ.