Here’s a suggestion: Let’s rethink the optics of the president’s State of the Union speech. If it still matters–and network prime time coverage and high-profile, opposition responses would seem to indicate as much–then let’s play down the political-theater aspect.
While the president is talking Iran nuclear deal, climate change, military preparedness, economic priorities and gun realities, viewers are privy to an agitprop live audience. It manifests itself in quirky and sometimes rude body language. On occasion someone is seen checking a device. The rise and fallout of applause lines is a periodic given.
But while nothing much can be done about those cut-away congressional and gallery reaction shots–they are TV staples–there is something that can be altered. How about rearranging some of the furniture?
How about relocating the vice president and the speaker of the house so that they don’t constitute an up-close-and-distracting backdrop to the president during his speech? Do we really need them–whether Al Gore, Dick Cheney or Joe Biden, whether Newt Gingrich, Nancy Pelosi or Paul Ryan–in a tight shot with the person making the speech? A shot so tight that we the viewers can’t help noticing. Often. And being reminded of political theatrics.
Especially when the VP and the Speaker are of different parties. When one applauds and the other sits on his hands. When one beams and the other stares blankly.
Was that a smile or a smirk? Was that a smug response or a facial tic? Was that a look of disagreement–or disrespect? Perspiring mimes want to know.
We’ve been in this medium-is-the-message era for a while now. We know what works. It’s not fair or respectful to frame the president–speaking to all Americans–in such a fashion. Surely, there’s some iconic, apolitical, historical art that could properly backdrop the president and dignify the presentation. Surely.
Even though our politics are regrettably divisive, let’s at least try our best to give the president of the United States our undivided attention for his annual State of the Union address. Then it’s back to politics and punditry as usual.