So strange. Why would they even put people behind her? Don’t recall other responses to the SOTU that had an “audience” on set. (But, I admit, I have not actually investigated the subject.)
*********************************************************************************************
I thought that was strange too. Generally, speakers face their audience, so having them behind her, just emphasized that they were just a part of stage setting.
I agree. They were playing SOTU like a Greek tragedy. They had “Cross section of the nation” props for her ascent to the proscenium and they stood (why force them to stand) like a silent Greek Chorus.
2 questions;
1) If you are addressing Americans why do you start by saying:
“Good evening my fellow Americans and happy lunar new year.”
Why reference the Chinese New Year, the Year of the Pig?
A hat tip to diversity? Or do you have some real sympathy with Chinese communism? (”We need to be more like China!” (Of course you do, you are a totalitarian!))
A visual thing.
2) If you are going to put a big gal like her up in front of the nation you should have a few heavy citizens among the “Cross section” props. With all the thin people in the back ground the effect was to make her appear rather more heavy, and do you want the Elites to look better fed than the rest of the population? It works in places like Germany and South America where they like plump leaders, but not so much here.