reporter: have long come together for a night of comedy and comity. the annual al smith dinner in new york has drawn presidents and aspiring ones. in years gone by, there s far more self-deprecating satire. this is an impressive crowd. the haves and the have-mores. some people call you the elite. i call you my base. reporter: then score-settling. i can t shake that feeling that some people here are pulling for me. i m delighted to see you here tonight, hillary. the white tie dinner, a benefit for catholic charities, has often provided relief from the rancor of the campaign trail, like this exchange in that epic race 16 years ago. one of my favorite shows is who wants to be a
candidates. jeff zeleny looks back. it s a ritual stop on the road to the white house. a place where democrats i went shopping at some stores in midtown. i understand governor romney went shopping for some stores in midtown. and republicans. it s nice to finally relax and to wear what ann and i wear around the house. reporter: have long come together for a night of comedy and comity. the annual al smith dinner in new york has drawn presidents and aspiring ones. in years gone by, there s far more self-deprecating satire. this is an impressive crowd. the haves and the have-mores. some people call you the elite. i call you my base. reporter: then score-settling. i can t shake that feeling that some people here are pulling for me.