Politicians frequently “dance” around the issues. On newspaper in 1914 described the “Wilson Mexican policy dance”—“One step forward, three backward, hesitate and sidestep.” A 1939 dance titled “The Diplomats Dodge” featured one step forward, one step backward and then a sidestep.
 
The Reader’s Digest published the “Politician’s Polka” in 1992:
 
“HAVE YOU HEARD about the latest dance craze? It’s called the Politician’s Polka. You take one step forward, two steps back— and sidestep the issue. — Jack Rosenbaum in San Francisco Examiner.”
     
           
19 May 1914, The Enquirer (Cincinnati, OH), pg. 2, col. 8:
NEW WILSON DANCE
Is One Step Forward, Three Backward, Hesitate and Sidestep.
SPECIAL DISPATCH TO THE ENQUIRER
Washington, May 18.—Army officers received this morning translations of an article appearing recently in one of the Vera Cruz newspapers declaring that the Wilson policy in Mexico had been mae sponsor for a new dance in the United States.
 
According to this newspaper the “Wilson Mexican policy dance” is as follows:
 
“One step forward, three backward, hesitate and sidestep.”
 
6 September 1916, Richmond (IN) Palladium and Sun-Telegram, “Iliff Writes Article on Mexican Situation,” pg. 7, col. 2:
“This war is called ‘peaceful occupation’—a hesitation war, one step forward, one step backward, hesitate and then—sidestep.”
 
4 September 1939, St. Louis (MO) Star-Times, “‘Round the Town” with Regan, pg. 15, col. 3:   
Penny Parker and Sonny Schuyler, singers with the Vincent Lopez orchestra employed at Forest Park Highlands, were a hit in their leaders’ new dance sensation, “The Diplomats Dodge,” in last night’s hilarity. It’s a routine that requires one step forward, one step backward and then a sidestep—and they’ve promised the management they’ll repeat the dance tonight.
  r
28 June 1963, The Daily Reporter (Dover, OH), “CORE Plans Giant March” (AP), pg. 5, col. 5:
“I hope we are not going to confronted with a…waltz in the Kennedy Administration. That’s one step forward, two back, a hesitation, and a side-step,” he (James Farmer, national director of the Congress of Racial Equality—ed.) explained as the audience offered its support in laughter.
 
Google Books
The Reader’s Digest
Volume 140
1992
Pg. 46:
HAVE YOU HEARD about the latest dance craze? It’s called the Politician’s Polka. You take one step forward, two steps back— and sidestep the issue. — Jack Rosenbaum in San Francisco Examiner
   
23 February 1992, The Courier-Journal (Louisville, KY), “The Funnybone,” pg. H7, col. 3:
Have you heard about the latest dance craze? It’s called the Politician’s Polka. You take one step forward, two steps back—and sidestep the issues.
—Mary Forcht, Louisville
 
30 July 1992, Titusville (PA) Herald, “News of Spartansburg” by Florence Sherlock, pg. 11, col. 2:
Have you heard about the latest dance craze? It’s called the Politician’s Polka. You take one step forward, two steps back and sidestep the whole thing.
 
7 June 1993, Calgary (Alberta) Herald, “Question of the Day” by Paul Drohan, pg. A2:
The May Readers Digest talks about a new dance, the Politician Polka one step forward and two steps back and then sidestep the issue. And, I imagine, then get a promotion and a big severance pay and a pension and then another big paying job at the taxpayers` expense.
         
Google Books
House of Commons Debates (Canada)
Issues 146-160
1995
Pg. 9390
Mr. Hermanson: Madam Speaker, I assure the hon. member that the Reform caucus has a wonderful sense of humour. We are very amused at the Liberal polka represented in this bill and in many others: one step forward, two steps backward and sidestep the issue.
 
19 May 2002, The Sunday Mail (Brisbane, Queensland), John Hay column, pg. 61:
BARGARA reader has sent us news about the latest dance craze. It’s called the Politicians’ Polka. You take one step forward, two steps back and sidestep the issue.
   
27 May 2005, The Sun (London, UK), “Dear Sun,” pg. 51:
THE PM has had a dance named after him -the Blair Polka. You take one step forward, two steps back and sidestep the issue.
BRENDA FORDHAM Blackpool
 
Twitter
Jay Kay
@JayKay89266490
Replying to @TheMarkPantano @TheMarkRomano @AngelGSDlover
Also known as a Political Polka=one step forward, two steps back, and sidestep the issue. Grrrr!
1:35 PM - 5 Sep 2017
 
Twitter
JMMDubois
@JMMDubois1
Have you heard about the latest dance craze?  It’s called the politician’s polka:  You take one step forward, two steps back, & sidestep the issue.
Anonymous
#quotations #quotes
2:19 PM - 13 Dec 2017
 
Twitter
Jay Kay89266490
@kay89266490
Replying to @Education4Libs @DonEssary1
They just voted to pay those teachers more because they walked out on school !!!
Political Polka:
One step forward, two steps back, and SIDESTEP the issue !!! 😂😂😂NOT FUN !!!
12:54 PM - 13 Apr 2018
 
Twitter
JMMDubois
@JMMDubois1
Have you heard about the latest dance craze?  It’s called the politician’s polka:  You take one step forward, two steps back, & sidestep the issue.
Anonymous
#quotations #quotes
4:04 PM - 15 Apr 2018