At the Al

In the presence of Katie Couric, Brian Williams, both New York senators, the state's governor and the city's mayor, the widow and son of Tim Russert, Rupert Murdoch, Dennis Sullivan, a cast of thousands and -- in his last turn as its host -- Cardinal Edward Egan, the Al Smith showdown went off with lots of humor and without incident earlier tonight.

Lest any doubt remained of the draw of the evening's joint keynoters -- both presidential candidates, in their final pre-election meeting -- this 63rd Dinner pulled in over $4 million for New York's Catholic Charities, more than double last year's take for the Tony Blair-headlined soiree.

SVILUPPO: Fullvideo from C-SPAN.

PHOTO: AFP/Getty

-30-