Changes

}}

}}

'''Alfred Emanuel “Al” Smith''' (December 30, 1873 – October 4, 1944) was the dominant Democratic politician in [[New York State]] in the 1920s and was elected governor five times. He was defeated in the 1928 Presidential Election.  Smith was a leader of the [[Progressive Era]] because of his efficiency-oriented, growth-promoting pro-business policies as governor.  He moved from a leader of liberals in the 1920s to a leader of conservatives in the 1930s.

'''Alfred Emanuel “Al” Smith''' (December 30, 1873 – October 4, 1944) was the dominant Democratic politician in [[New York State]] in the 1920s and was elected governor five times. He was defeated in the 1928 Presidential Election, but made history by being the first [[Roman Catholic Church|Catholic]] nominated for president by a major party.  Smith was a leader of the [[Progressive Era]] because of his efficiency-oriented, growth-promoting pro-business policies as governor.  He moved from a leader of liberals in the 1920s to a leader of conservatives in the 1930s.

His name became best known a generation later for the "Al Smith dinner," an often-awkward charitable [[Roman Catholic|Catholic]] fundraising gala at which the two presidential nominees traditionally appear together shortly before the election, to joke about themselves and their opponents.

His name became best known a generation later for the "Al Smith dinner," a remarkable tradition beginning with [[JFK]] in 1960 by which a fancy fundraising gala for [[Roman Catholic|Catholic]] charities features the two presidential nominees dining with each other and then taking turns joking about their opponents amid laughter by the donor-attendees. It has long been a welcome break from tense campaign rhetoric. [[Kamala Harris]] broke this 60-year tradition by refusing to attend in 2024.

==Presidential candidate==

==Presidential candidate==