Presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump roasted each other at an Alfred E. Smith Dinner at the Waldorf-Astoria in Manhattan that was awkward at times. Josh Robin filed the following report.
NEW YORK - It was supposed to be a good-natured high-society affair for Catholic charities. Instead, Donald Trump manage to offend, and he got booed or it.
"Here she is tonight in public, pretending not to hate Catholics," Trump said, a comment that was met by boos.
Hillary Clinton commanded more of the audience. Some of them found her funny. Others did not.
"Many don't know this, but Rudy actually got his start as a prosecutor going after wealthy New Yorkers who avoided paying taxes," Clinton said of former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani. "But as the saying goes, 'Go on Fox News and call them a genius.'"
Usual rivals did come together. But all in all, it was an often cringe-worthy evening. Groans followed laughter. The traditional comedy was replaced by thinly veiled commentaries.
"You certainly don't need to be Catholic to be inspired by the humility and heart of the holy father Pope Francis, his appeal that we build bridges, not walls," Clinton said.
There were some jokes. Clinton poked at how taxing debating with Trump can be.
"I think the cardinal is saying I'm not eligible for sainthood. But getting through these three debates with Donald has to count as a miracle," she said.
Trump ribbed Clinton's email issues.
“Hillary accidentally bumped into me and she very simply said, 'Pardon me,'" he said.
The dinner is named after former Governor Al Smith, the first Catholic presidential candidate on a major party ticket. The foundation in his name raised close to $6 million in 2016.
And surely, many offer an amen to Cardinal Timothy Dolan's benediction.
"Bless our two candidates," Dolan said.
And then Clinton and Trump parted, with no public plans to meet before Election Day - or perhaps even ever again.