Vice President Kamala Harris recently faced criticism for her decision to skip the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner, a significant annual charity event that supports impoverished children, marking the first time a presidential candidate has missed this occasion since Walter Mondale in 1984. Callista Gingrich, former U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See, emphasized this decision as a continual demonstration of Harris’s disregard for Catholic values. While she chose to send a pre-recorded video message, Gingrich pointed out that Harris found time to appear on a provocative podcast, raising questions about her priorities. This behavior is not new for Harris, whose track record as California’s Attorney General, U.S. Senator, and now Vice President has been perceived as increasingly anti-Catholic, leaving many Catholics feeling alienated from her leadership.
Harris’s actions in office have often been highlighted to illustrate her stance against traditional Catholic beliefs. For example, she filed an amicus brief in a Supreme Court case compelling Hobby Lobby, a family-owned business that holds Christian values, to cover contraception for its employees contrary to their beliefs. Moreover, during her senatorial career, Harris interrogated Catholic judicial nominees about their faith, indicating that membership in the Knights of Columbus—a prominent Catholic organization—should disqualify them from judicial positions. Such actions have led to a growing sentiment among Catholic voters against her, especially in battleground states, where current polling shows that support for Republican candidate Donald Trump among Catholics has surged ahead of Harris.
Recent polling data highlights a concerning trend for the Harris campaign; Catholic voters are aligning more with Trump as the 2024 election approaches. In key swing states like Wisconsin and Michigan, Trump’s support among Catholic voters shows a stark lead over Harris. Specifically, in Wisconsin, Trump is ahead by 18 percentage points, garnering 57 percent of potential Catholic votes against Harris’s 39 percent. Similarly, in Michigan, Trump leads by 12 points, with 53 percent to Harris’s 41 percent. These figures indicate a shift in voter sentiment and underscore the potential implications of Harris’s perceived anti-Catholic sentiment on the upcoming election.
The importance of Catholic voters has historically played a pivotal role in presidential elections in the United States. Numerous studies have shown that winning this demographic by even a small margin is often indicative of winning overall election results. In previous elections, the voting patterns of Catholic citizens have demonstrated their value as a bellwether group. For instance, in the 2016 election, Trump secured 52 percent of the Catholic vote against Hillary Clinton’s 42 percent, and similarly, in 2020, Joe Biden received 51 percent to Trump’s 47 percent. This trend reinforces the significance of Harris’s current unpopularity among Catholics and raises concerns for her campaign’s viability.
While Harris campaigned in Wisconsin, Trump attended the 79th Annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner in New York City, where he expressed his affection for the community while recounting his attendance since childhood. His presence at a significant Catholic event underscores the contrast between his engagement with the Catholic community and Harris’s absence. Additionally, Trump’s enthusiastic remarks about the dinner reflect his commitment to supporting philanthropic causes that resonate with the values important to the Catholic community. This further solidifies the view that Harris’s absence from the event likely feeds into a broader narrative of her being out of touch with Catholic voters.
In conclusion, Callista Gingrich’s commentary surrounding Harris’s actions highlights a growing disconnect between the Vice President and Catholic constituents, especially as the 2024 election looms. As Harris continues her campaign, the implications of her decisions—including her notable absence from the Al Smith Dinner and her previous actions toward Catholic institutions—will likely resonate with voters. The evolving dynamics between Harris and the Catholic community, evidenced by shifting voter preferences in crucial swing states, may play a significant role in shaping the electoral landscape. With Trump and Harris positioned against each other in the election, the relationship with Catholic voters—once a battleground demographic—could become increasingly pivotal for both candidates’ chances of success in November.