Looking through those pics, Obama giving a speech with a podium drives me nuts! Can this man not come out and speak with empathy... he has to have a podium just to give a simple speech regarding our concern and support for those suffering... AAAH!!!!!!
People who are uncomfortable with public speaking tend to use the lectern as a shield. I gave classes sometimes in the service; in NCO school we were advised to come out from behind it- don’t use it as a crutch.
When I was an IT manager in professional life, I took over from another guy who used to put his desk between him and anyone in his guest chair. I turned the desk sideways so that nothing was between me and anyone who was visiting my office. I got a surprising number of positive comments about it.
I don’t know, maybe when you’re the President and you are making a public statement it is somehow different.< shrug>