Pool Report for Al Smith Dinner
POOL REPORT
ALFRED E. SMITH DINNER
16 OCTOBER 2008
Barack Obama and John McCain attended the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner in the grand ballroom at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City Thursday night. It's a charity event and annual yuk-fest, where politicos and other luminaries annually gather and trade jokes.
Summary: Obama and McCain laughed heartily at each other's jokes. They warmly shook hands several times. And McCain delivered a stirring salute to Obama's history-making campaign (see below).
Here's what happened:
1. Introduction of dais
During the introduction of the dais, John McCain was the first of the two presidential candidates to be announced. McCain waved to the crowd and made his way to his seat on the stage. The introducer, then, called Obama's name, but it was difficult to hear the Illinois senator's introduction amid the applause and noise in the room. Obama didn't enter the stage. A moment or so later, at 7:55 p.m., the introducer introduced Obama a second time. The Illinois senator, this time, climbed onto the stage and made his way to his seat. Both candidates were warmly received.
At 7:56 p.m., as Obama settled into his spot, McCain reached out across Edward Cardinal Egan, who was seated between the presidential candidates, to shake Obama's hand. The two rivals shook hands.
During the national anthem, both candidates placed their hands on their hearts.
Seating: Obama was seated four seats from the lectern. McCain was seated two seats from the lectern. His Eminence Edward Cardinal Egan sat between them. On Obama's left was Chris Quick, a Wall Street guru, according to the seating chart.
Members of the dais included: Cindy McCain, Sen. Hillary Clinton, Sen. Chuck Schumer, NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg, former NYC mayors Ed Koch and David Dinkins, Henry Kissinger, Katie Couric, Brian Williams.
2. Opening remarks
Alfred E. Smith IV, the great grandson of the governor and the master of the ceremonies for the dinner, delivered opening remarks. Here's a quick summary:
"My great grandfather who blazed the trail as the first Catholic to run for President would have loved this election. No matter who wins, history will be made, as he made history. If Sen. Obama wins, it will be the first time we had a vice president from Delaware," he said, prompting applause.
"If Sen. McCain wins, the history making will involve a woman - the first president to have a 96-year-old mother."
Promising a nonpartisan affair, he noted the menu will not include Chicago pizza or baked Alaska.
"We can consider it quite an achievement that we were able to get two strong rivals in the same room, in the same time. I'm glad that both Katie Couric and Brian Williams can join us tonight."
"Sen. McCain can be counted on to identify threats and to head them off before they materialize. In case you missed it, he said shortly before dinner that under no circumstances would he allow nuclear weapons to be acquired by The New York Times."
Sen. Obama has said "he would be willing to sit down and talk with despots. I think he proved that by doing an interview with Bill O'Reilly."
"We thought both vice presidential candidates might be here, too. But Sarah Palin is attending a state troopers' ball. And Joe Biden couldn't find white tie and tales at a Home Depot."
When Smith finished delivering his remarks, the media were escorted from the ballroom into the filing center to allow the participants to eat. As your pooler exited, it appeared as if Obama and McCain were chatting with Cardinal Egan.
3. McCain remarks
McCain's speech was filled with lots of one-liners and funny moments. Here's just a couple.
"Events are moving fast in my campaign. And, yes, it's true that this morning I've dismissed my entire team of senior advisers. All their positions will now be held by a man named Joe the Plumber."
McCain said Obama doesn't mind when he calls him "that one." "In fact," McCain said, "he even has a pet name for me: George Bush."
The most notable section of McCain's speech was a serious salute to Obama. Here it is:
"I don't want it getting out of this room, but my opponent is an impressive fellow in many ways. Political opponents can have a little trouble seeing the best in each other. But I've had a few glimpses of this man at his best. And I admire his great skill, energy and determination. It's not for nothing that he's inspired so many folks in his own party and beyond. Sen. Obama talks about making history and he's made quite a bit of it already. There was a time when a mere invitation of an African-American citizen to dine at the White House was taken as an outrage and an insult in many quarters. Today it's a world away from the.bigotry of that time. And good riddance. I can't wish my opponent luck, but I do wish him well."
"Whatever the outcome next month, Sen. Obama has achieved a great thing for himself, and for his country and I congratulate him."
Obama and McCain warmly exchanged hand shakes when McCain finished speaking.
4. Obama remarks
"There is no other crowd in America that I'd rather be palling around with right now."
"It's often been said that I share the politics of Alfred E. Smith and the ears of Alfred E. Neuman."
"Tonight's venue isn't really what I'm used to. I was originally told we could move this outdoors to Yankee Stadium. And could somebody tell me what happened to the Greek columns that I requested."
"I do love the Waldorf-Astoria, though. You know, I hear that from the doorstep you can see all the way to the Russian Tea Room."
"It is an honor to be here with Al Smith. I obviously never knew your great grandfather, but from everything Sen. McCain has told me.."
"The mayor recently announced some news, made some news by announcing he is going to be rewriting the rules and running for a third term, which caused Bill Clinton to say, 'You can do that."
"It is a tribute to American democracy that with two weeks left in a hard fought election the two of us could come together and sit down at the same dinner table without preconditions."
"Recently, one of John's top advisers told the daily news that if we keep talking about the economy, McCain's going to lose. So, tonight, I'd like to talk about the economy."
On a serious note, he said, "We are in the midst of a tough battle right now.There are very few of us who have served this country with the same dedication and honor and distinction as Sen. McCain. And I'm glad to be sharing the stage with him tonight."
5. Info on event
The event, held at the grand ballroom of the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, is the 63rd annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner. The dinner, a charitable fundraiser, is dedicated to the memory of Al Smith, New York's four-term governor and the first Catholic to be nominated by a major political party as a presidential candidate. The event has a long tradition of playing host to political luminaries, such as Ronald Reagan, both President Bushes, Jimmy Carter, Gerald Ford, John F. Kennedy, to name a few.
