Meeting of the Candidates to Help Poor and Sick

Senators John McCain and Barack Obama are slated to be co-guest speakers at a dinner hosted by New York Cardinal Edward M. Egan. The October 16th memorial dinner, named for New York Governor Alfred Smith who was the first Catholic presidential candidate, is a black-tie affair that has raised millions of dollars to help the poor and sick of the New York Archdiocese.

The presidential candidates will come together at this the 63rd annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner for what should be a lighthearted evening. Although speakers at this dinner have traditionally been hard hitting politicos, as the foundation's site notes, the "luminous guest speakers have stepped from the world stage to honor and entertain Annual Dinner audiences with their light humor and political savvy."

"Indeed, the occasion has evolved into something of an opportunity for speakers - particularly ones whose mien is typically quite serious - to show, through quips and slightly irreverent humor, that they can poke fun at a political issue, an opponent, or themselves."

The first time presidential opponents came together for this event was in 1960 when John F. Kennedy and Richard M. Nixon both spoke at the dinner. Click here to visit the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation's site where you may find more information, including a list of former speakers.