The Political Cost of the Obamas' Date Night

President Obama caused a stir when he took his wife, Michelle, to New York for dinner and a Broadway show. Some thought it was a charming attempt to keep romance alive between the commander in chief and the first lady. Others saw it as a waste of taxpayers' money and a slap at the millions of Americans suffering from the recession.

The Obamas head to New York City for their date night.

The trip immediately caused a huge sensation on the Internet and across the country. The Republican National Committee weighed in with a stinging attack, arguing that Obama showed insensitivity by taking his jaunt to the Big Apple when times are tough, General Motors is bankrupt, and "families across America continue to struggle to pay their bills." Obama's defenders said it was much ado about nothing and, besides, the president is working very hard and deserves a night on the town once in a while. "The White House can be a little like gilded house arrest," says an Obama senior adviser. "I don't think most people will begrudge him going on a date with his wife. You've got to cut the guy a little slack."

The particulars of the president's "date night" were endlessly dissected for signs of self-indulgence. The Obamas jetted to John F. Kennedy Airport (delaying air traffic), rode a helicopter into Manhattan, had dinner at the critically acclaimed Blue Hill restaurant, saw Joe Turner's Come and Gone (they paid for dinner and the show themselves), and afterward took a motorcade down Sixth Avenue, which was shut down by police, as thousands of onlookers waved and cheered. White House officials declined to estimate the cost of Obama's evening, prompting media speculation that the price tag was anywhere from $25,000 to $250,000 when one adds up the tab for Air Force One, security, communications, local police overtime, and other costs.

Beyond the current debate, the fuss provided a window into a larger picture: the conduct of the president and how Americans tend to give their leader enormous latitude in mixing personal time with public duties. Actually, what Obama did was similar to what his predecessors have done for many years. It's customary for presidents to use Air Force One for personal trips, accompanied by all the perks of office. And most Americans have become tolerant of the practice, which is why it happens so often.

George W. Bush flew Air Force One to his Texas ranch an estimated 77 times during his eight-year presidency. His critics made a fuss, arguing that he was wasting money and showing lax work habits. But he insisted on going back to Prairie Chapel Ranch to get away from Washington as often as he could. He said it cleared his mind and made him a better decision maker, and Americans seemed to understand.

Bill Clinton used government planes for his vacations at Martha's Vineyard in Massachusetts and the Grand Teton Mountains in Wyoming. He was sensitive to public opinion and took time off only with considerable reluctance because of his concern that it wouldn't look right to the voters. But in the end, cost wasn't a big issue. Most people believed Clinton worked hard and deserved some R&R.

George H. W. Bush flew frequently to his family estate in Kennebunkport, Maine. He always defended his stays there, even when he was attacked for goofing off while the nation was mired in a recession. In August 1991, for example, he announced that he would not alter his routine of golf, tennis, horseshoes, fishing, and racing around in his speedboat, despite the nation's serious economic woes at the time. He said he needed to rejuvenate himself, and it didn't appear to do him much harm with voters.

Ronald Reagan spent long stretches of time at his isolated ranch in Santa Barbara, Calif. This was particularly costly because the Air Force One flights between Washington and California covered so many miles. When his aides raised concerns that he might look lazy if he escaped to Santa Barbara too much, Reagan scoffed. He said the more time he spent at Rancho del Cielo, the longer he would live because he could relax there better than anywhere else. This was hard for his aides to argue with, and the California trips became a fixture of his popular presidency.

Americans seem to understand that their commander in chief can never escape his duties, whether he is in the Oval Office or on a jaunt to Broadway. The day-to-day pressures are enormous, and if there is a crisis, he has to handle it no matter where he is. So most fair-minded Americans wouldn't deny the president his personal time, even it if might occasionally seem extravagant.

• See photos of Michelle Obama.
• See photos of the Obama family behind the scenes.