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DEL.ICIO.USOn Thursday, no more President Bush
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Associated Press, which provides much political coverage for the AJC and news outlets throughout the country, is making a very minor change that’s likely to catch your eye — or ear.
As of 3 a.m. Thursday, AP will begin referring to the president of the United States — and the president-elect — by their full names.
In other words, President George W. Bush. And President-elect Barack Obama.
No political statement is intended.
For decades, since Franklin Roosevelt lived in the White House, it’s been AP “style” to refer to the president by his last name only: i.e., President Bush — whether No. 41 or No. 43.
The news cooperative isn’t exactly sure why it was adopted, but the practice was only applied within the United States. Heads of states in other countries are addressed by their full names. So is the president of the United States — but only in articles filed from overseas, headed for other countries.
“We saw a need to standardize how we refer to the president, especially since the wire now services more of a global audience,” explained Darrell Christian, AP editor at large and co-editor of the AP stylebook.
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Comments
By Sir Winston
November 12, 2008 1:18 PM | Link to this
So can we start calling him Mr. Obama instead of President Obama like they did Bush? The AP leads by example. Peace.
By BitterClinger
November 12, 2008 1:42 PM | Link to this
Great point Winston! I will be calling him Mr. Obama, not president Obama. That is one thing that irritated me about the MSM throughout the Bush’s term. Mr. Obama it is!!!!
By Aaron Burr V. Mexico
November 12, 2008 1:50 PM | Link to this
Well I can certainly call you Mr. Potato Head.
By President GWB
November 12, 2008 2:26 PM | Link to this
You will call him what he deserves to be called… Commander and Chief or President Barack Obama. lol You will not call him obama, Mr. Obama, or anything else… ahh heck with it just call him colored like lindsey lohan did and quit fighting!
By BitterClinger
November 12, 2008 2:33 PM | Link to this
I will call him whatever I want. Because some lib panty waste does not like it makes it all the more fun. I will call him Mr. Obama and there is nothing you can do about it.
By petepenguin
November 12, 2008 2:40 PM | Link to this
So nah-nah-nah-nah,eh,bitterclinger…tsk tsk,better get back to your nap.You got it don’t ya?
By Mary St, James
November 12, 2008 2:55 PM | Link to this
I, too, will be calling him Mr. Obama. It really ticked me off that the media and other democrat w******* called Bush “Mr. Bush.” They never pulled that crap with B.J. Clinton.
By dons
November 12, 2008 2:56 PM | Link to this
Isn’t his full name “Barack H. Obama”?
By sam1234
November 12, 2008 3:03 PM | Link to this
What does the “H” stand for? Herschel? Hank? Howie?
By Copyleft
November 12, 2008 3:51 PM | Link to this
The middle initial is needed for Gee Dubya because there was another “George Bush” who served as president.
Obama is only our first President Obama, so the initial won’t be needed until we elect the next one.
And if you’re not comfortable with “President Obama,” just stick with “President Better Than You Ignorant Hicks.”
By Tom Becker
November 12, 2008 3:56 PM | Link to this
Obama Elect: He’s right for what’s left of America.
Lame Duck Bush: Attack Iraq!
Liar Loan McCain: Bail out this!
By Betty Boop
November 12, 2008 4:09 PM | Link to this
Will Mr. Obama use teleprompters at his press conferences, or will he read from que cards like he did at this last one?
Betty Boop
By petepenguin
November 12, 2008 4:20 PM | Link to this
I don’t know Betty,why don’t you tell us and while you’re at it,explain in more detail you’re very mysterious message.
By petepenguin
November 12, 2008 4:31 PM | Link to this
That should read your instead of you’re.I was laughing so hard at Betty’s mysterious remarks,I lost my concentration for a moment.Sorry.
By hot mess from buford
November 12, 2008 9:04 PM | Link to this
I will call Prez Obama, The Decider
By The Thin Guy
November 13, 2008 12:31 AM | Link to this
So Jug Ears will be referred to as Buckwheat HUSSEIN ZeroBambi? I’ll just refer to it as that worthless POS. It is not and never will be POTUS. It is simply The Pretender.
By Copyleft
November 13, 2008 10:59 AM | Link to this
Yes, because he somehow lost the election he actually won, right? And that makes his presidency illegitimate?
Come on, you can come up with something better than that.
By X
November 13, 2008 12:32 PM | Link to this
Why is everyone blaming Bush and sniffing Sarah Palin’s panties? This looks like the Clinton Economy of 1990-1992. With the dems in power, it will probably resemble 1932 in another two years.. Check out Obama’s new transition team..6 International Lobbyist and the rest, Clinton Cronies The Chicago Machine/Clinton Cronism.. is alive and well in Washington..
By elen
November 13, 2008 5:18 PM | Link to this
I will call him our Mr. Obama….young…intelligent…black…who in 10 years only was elected President…while President Bush got him a lot of lies to get there….by the way…on todays news he raised the subject of securing a free trade agreement with Colombia and do you know why??..because he has a piece on that business too…..and is not fair for our U. S. workers….
By Ian
November 14, 2008 6:42 PM | Link to this
Way to go, A*. Press! LOL