Cardinal Dolan on Harris Refusing To Attend the Al Smith Dinner: ‘This Hasn’t Happened in 40 Years Since Walter Mondale Turned Down the Invitation’

EXCERPT:

DOLAN: "We're disappointed. We were looking forward to giving the vice president an enthusiastic welcome. And we were confident that she would find this — you know, she speaks very much about the high ideals and how it’s good to get away from division and come together in unity and all. That’s what the Al Smith Dinner is all about. We haven’t given up yet. We’re not used to this. We don’t know how to handle that. 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. So we're not used to this and we're not giving up. You know, who's been a help to us, Lauren, is Senator Schumer and Governor Hochul, they're both working hard to see that they convince her to come."