President Obama slammed by critics for 'tremendous mistake' of dancing the tango

(Image credit: MSNBC)

published 24 March 2016

While in Argentina, President Obama partook in some local culture and did the tango with a professional dancer during an official state dinner (Michelle Obama also had a partner). Obama's critics watching back at home were outraged that Obama was getting his groove on so soon after the Brussels attacks — and they said as much during an appearance on MSNBC's Morning Joe.

"I think there's no doubt that people would like to see a little bit more stagecraft and a balance toward decisive action rather than business as usual from the president," Bloomberg Politics managing editor Mark Halperin said.

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Obama had only one defender, economist Steve Rattner, who said that while the tango looked bad, what exactly Obama was expected to do in that situation? "I think he could have handled some of that differently. I agree certainly about the tango. But the idea that some people are throwing out that he should have, like, turned the plane around and rushed back to Washington. To do what?" Rattner asked.

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Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.

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