Last night was the legendary Al Smith dinner here in New York, where a certain former British Prime Minister (who, rumors insist, is considering becoming a Catholic, and a deacon at that) was the keynote speaker.

How’d it go?

Let’s check the New York Times:

So a mayor, a governor and a prime minister walk into the Waldorf. …

It could have been the setup for a joke at last night’s Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner at the Waldorf-Astoria, where New York’s political and Roman Catholic elite donned white tie, dined on foie gras, traded barbs and touched on deeper matters, like the ongoing threat of terrorism.

Tony Blair, the former British prime minister, delivered the keynote speech, urging continued vigilance by the United States, Britain and their allies in combating terrorism. He received a standing ovation and even a “Hear, hear!” shouted from a balcony.

But not all the elected officials — and there were plenty on hand — came away unscathed.

Cardinal Edward M. Egan, the archbishop of New York, opened his speech by apologizing for the evening’s late start. “Governor Spitzer asked that Prime Minister Blair fill out an application for a New York State driver’s license,” he explained, referring to Eliot Spitzer’s latest controversy, involving granting licenses to illegal immigrants.

Earlier, Alfred E. Smith IV, the evening’s M.C., suggested that Mr. Spitzer might not be suited for a speaking role at the dinner, which is known for its light tone. He turned to the governor, who sat inches away: “Self-deprecating humor’s not really your thing.”

(Mr. Spitzer seemed unfazed. “There are some good folks there with a good sense of humor, and so it’s all good fun,” the smiling governor told reporters on his way out.)

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg received the warmest cheers of the night, and even Mr. Blair had a bit of fun with the rumors that he might pursue a presidential run. “Being a mayor of a city like New York is fantastic preparation,” Mr. Blair said in his remarks, trailing off as the crowd cheered.

The annual event is considered the most politically prestigious event for New York City’s Roman Catholics, and has gained a reputation as a major social gathering in election years, when organizers traditionally invite the presidential candidates to speak from the white flower-filled dais.

Two of New York’s most prominent political figures, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton and former Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani, skipped last night’s event. But they attended in spirit — if only as the butt of jokes.

“Things look pretty good for Senator Clinton right now,” Mr. Smith said. “But I hear her campaign lives in fear of hearing four terrifying words: Al Gore’s losing weight.”

You can read more about what Blair had to say right here.