With television playing such a role in American politics, it is interesting to note how the handlers of President Obama and other political leaders, in both parties, arrange those who are seated behind their featured speakers.

Obviously, when a president, governor, senator or other top elected official is scheduled to make a televised speech, the handlers go to work. They stage the event in the best possible way to make their bosses look good, and to win votes.

There is no open seating for those in the highly visible area behind the speaker. Depending on whether the speaker is talking about the environment, housing, national security, the economy or whatever, the backdrop is carefully crafted. Seeking to reinforce the speaker’s message to win viewer support, the “props” or those selected to sit behind or stand beside the speaker are sure to be a mixture of men and women and people of color. The matter of age depends on the message being delivered, and this applies both to adults and children.

The point being, it’s no accident who is sitting behind the speaker if the event is to be televised. This part of the program is just as carefully scripted and controlled as every other aspect of the event.

Take a look at the next televised political speech and note who is sitting behind the speaker and how they are dressed. No one disagrees with what the speaker is saying, and they are supposed to send the message to voters that people from all walks of society support and favor the individual doing the speaking.

Their presence and the manner in which they are arranged are no accident.