Slideshow: Cardinal Egan, Obama & McCain together

Al Smith was the first Catholic Presidential candidate. My father has one of his campaign buttons. Yesterday Cardinal Egan hosted both John McCain and Barack Obama at Al Smith's fundraising dinner:

Coverage at WSJ.

So what do you think of this?

1. A perfect image of the Church transcending politics and bringing people together?
2. A pitiful depiction of the worst sort of pandering for political expedience?
3. An unconsciounable ignoring of the differences that truly divide us?
4. A benefit dinner - what else?

Obama's mind might have been elsewhere during the evening:

Cardinal Edward Egan, Senator McCain, and Senator Obama were staged for their grand entrance in seating order. However, all did not go as planned.

McCain's name was called, and the Republican nominee took the stage. Obama's name was called in the midst of the applause and he appeared to not hear and did not take the stage, producing an awkward moment where the Democratic presidential nominee was chatting unknowingly as people waited for him to take the stage.

The announcer then went on to introduce Cardinal Egan instead.

Obama was then introduced - for a second time - and he finally took the stage to sustained applause. (ABC)

(Unendorsed) commentary at Commonweal. And interesting observations from the National Post.

update: Diogenes is not pleased.