The Presidency as theatre

From the Independent Institute comes an article by Mary Theroux on the shameless and hypocritical use of the Oscars to promote the Obama social and economic agenda. Theroux opens by saying,

The culmination of last night’s Oscars broadcast with a Live! feed from the White House with Mrs. Obama (hangin’ with her military BFs) marks the official recognition of the Presidency as theater: like the old Western sets, no substance required.

But I find myself asking, Isn't this what politics is about? Theatre, not substance? Can you imagine any politician turning down a chance to get their message across at an event like the Oscars?