Trump, Clinton to Trade Jokes at Al Smith Dinner After Nasty Debate

For one last time before Election Day, Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump will share a stage -- and it could be pretty awkward in the wake of a contentious debate Wednesday during which the candidates traded insults and never shook hands.

Tonight, the two presidential nominees will attend the annual Alfred E. Smith dinner in Manhattan where they are expected to deliver remarks poking fun at themselves.

The dinner -- a white-tie fundraiser put on by the Catholic Church, in honor of former New York Gov (and first Catholic governor of the state) Al Smith -- is a longstanding tradition for presidential candidates.

Since 1960, when Richard Nixon and John F. Kennedy spoke, almost all the nominees from the two major parties have attended the event, now celebrating its 71st year. (Bill Clinton, notably, never spoke during either of his two campaigns.)

This year, both Clinton and Trump accepted invitations for the event.

Part of the tradition of the event -- which was even the subject of an episode of the "The West Wing," titled, "The Al Smith Dinner" -- is for the nominees to deliver humorous roasts about themselves and their opponents.

The light-hearted nature of the dinner could be challenging in an election year that has become so divisive.

During the 2012 presidential race, President Obama made a self-depreciating joke about his poor performance during the first debate and mocked then-Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney for his wealth.

“Early today, I went shopping at some stores in midtown. I understand Gov. Romney went shopping for some stores in midtown," he quipped during his remarks at the dinner.

Romney took similar shots at Obama and also joked about his Mormon faith.

“Usually when I get invited to gatherings like this," he said, "It’s just to be the designated driver."

The dinner -- held at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in New York City -- is hosted by Archbishop of New York, Cardinal Dolan, and raises money for Catholic Charities.

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from ABC News: Politics http://ift.tt/2exD9ri

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