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POLL: What’s your take on political ‘selfies’?

TORONTO – Coverage of Nelson Mandela’s death  has dominated as supporters from around the world flocked to South Africa to mourn the passing of its former president.

The face of Nelson Mandela is shown on a large billboard in the stands at the memorial service for former South African President Nelson Mandela at the FNB Stadium in the Johannesburg, South Africa township of Soweto, Tuesday Dec. 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)
The face of Nelson Mandela is shown on a large billboard in the stands at the memorial service for former South African President Nelson Mandela at the FNB Stadium in the Johannesburg, South Africa township of Soweto, Tuesday Dec. 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis). Ben Curtis/AP Photo

But as many politicians took part in Mandela’s solemn remembrance ceremony Tuesday, social media attention was diverted by the photographic escapades of three world leaders – U.S. President Barack Obama, U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron and Denmark Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt.

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President Barack Obama (R) and British Prime Minister David Cameron pose for a picture with Denmark’s Prime Minister Helle Thorning Schmidt (C) next to US First Lady Michelle Obama (R) during the memorial service of South African former president Nelson Mandela at the FNB Stadium (Soccer City) in Johannesburg on December 10, 2013. Roberto Schmidt/AFP/Getty Images

The three heads of state were captured taking a variety of cheerful ‘selfies,’ much to the apparent chagrin of U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama.

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Speculation as to the nature and propriety of the impromptu photo shoot spread from social media to popular blog sites Gawker and BuzzFeed, and continued to make their way up north. The National Post’s John Visser described it as ‘a soap opera in the stands.’

Should politicians be acting chummy while on official business, or should they be afforded a bit of levity in their day-to-day activities?

Answer in the poll below:

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