West Wing events typically are carefully planned and staged, and this one seemed more staged for the media than the guests who ostensibly were invited to discuss with the president ways to create more jobs in the United States.

◼ (W)hat many couldn’t see in press coverage of the event — held with roughly 120 executives to discuss bringing jobs back to America from overseas — were the dozens of empty seats in the audience. - Donovan Slack/Politico

Dozens of journalists packed into the East Room at the White House today for the president’s remarks on “in-sourcing,” at least 60 of them lining the press risers and walls....

At one point during Obama’s speech, Vice President Joe Biden strolled to the empty section and sat in a row by himself, listening.

A White House spokeswoman, asked about the 49 empty chairs, said some invitees didn’t show up.