“Why was Chris Matthews on the dais?” This remains the most frequently asked question I get about the presidential election. It refers to the Al Smith dinner, an annual event that raises money for Catholic charities, (many of which are threatened by Obama administration policies), just weeks before the big day. Both presidential candidates attended the dinner, hosted by the Archdiocese of New York. To answer the question, permit me to say that I was elated at the post-election news out of Boston — obviously, not at the results at the top of the ticket. I celebrated the defeat of …