[kinsman redeemer]

You nailed it. Their style manual allows exactly the usage that you described.

This has been a pet peeve of mine since Reagan, er President Reagan. I have watched the practice very carefully through every administration and I must say that they did the same thing for Clinton, er the bent one as they are for President Bush.

[Gabz]

I was never a fan of the style manuals, but when you're on the air and have only a certain amount of time to transmit a certain amount of information - shortcuts have to be taken.

I never liked doing it - but I sure as heck used it an awful lot. Fortunately for me I was not doing radio news during those 8 miserable years, and so wasn't subjected to ever having to use the title "President" for that person.