Harris to address Al Smith charity dinner by video, organizers say WSOC TV

NEW YORK — (AP) —

Vice President Kamala Harris will address the Al Smith charity dinner by video Thursday night, after deciding to skip the event in person in a break with presidential campaign tradition, organizers said.

Former President Donald Trump is planning to attend in person.

The white tie event raises millions of dollars for Catholic charities and has traditionally offered presidential candidates from both parties the chance to trade light-hearted barbs in the election’s final stretch.

Harris’ campaign did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Her team had previously said that, with just weeks to go, they wanted her to spend as much time as possible campaigning in battleground states that will decide the election, rather than detouring to heavily Democratic New York.

The Daily Caller was first to report that Harris would address the dinner by screen.

Both Trump and President Joe Biden, who is Catholic, spoke at a virtual version of the …