Why Kamala Harris is Skipping the Al Smith Dinner for an Obvious and Pathetic Reason

Kamala Harris is choosing to skip this year’s Al Smith dinner on Oct. 17, possibly out of fear of having to improvise in public. The event, which raises money for charity, has been a tradition since 1960 and usually features major-party rivals delivering lighthearted jabs at each other. Harris has been avoiding non-Teleprompter events and has done fewer interviews compared to past candidates.

If she wins in November, Harris says she will consider attending the Smith dinner in the future. The only other instance where both nominees skipped the event was in 1996. Harris and her running mate, Tim Walz, are known for their support of unlimited abortion rights, which may be a factor in her decision to avoid the event.

However, it seems more likely that Harris simply fears having to think on her feet, especially after struggling in a recent conversation with Oprah Winfrey. This fear of spontaneity could be holding her back, as history has shown that avoiding the dinner may not bode well for a presidential candidate’s prospects.