"Mr. Bush" not "President Bush"

NBC Today Show | 1/7/04 | NBC Journalists

[websterdog]

Reported this morning on the Today Show, in the segment about the illegals working in this country, the regulars (Matt, Katie, Ann & Al) go to the reporter in the field and our president is referred to as "Mr. Bush" not "President Bush".

[Diogenesis]

Using the words "President Bush" has as much traction on NBC as did Matt's habits
when they broke synchronously with Rush's.

[Lancey Howard]

I liked at the last convention during Bush's acceptance speech when he referred to George Washington, "....or as his friends called him, 'Dubya'...."

[Iron Eagle]

Personally, I believe the correct formal reference to the President should be "President Bush."

Having said that, it has long been accepted journalistic practice to refer to Presidents as "Mr. ____" The New York Times has been doing it for years. (In fact, they are often the targets of this type of question.)

I don't have a problem with it, as long as they are consistent. It would be folish to call George Bush Mr. Bush, while calling Bill Clinton Mr. Clinton. And, it should be the standard practice. That is, if NBC is going to call him Mr. Bush in the morning, its other anchors and shows should do the same.

In the end, it would be easier if we called the President either "President _____, or "the President."

In my mind, the rule should be: what would you instruct your children to call him if they met him? "Mr. Bush" or "Mr. President" or "President Bush."

[theDentist]

They try to avoid "President" because, after all, Bush stole the election and illegitimately holds the office. {/sarcasm}

[LandofLincoln]

Maybe they are getting used to his new title. Anymore legislation like the crap he has done this far, and I will do ALL I CAN to make him Mr. Bush. How is that for conservative?

[Arrowhead1952]

I think their disrespect is alarming and biased since they will refer to a competitor as "Presidential hopeful Howard Dean. And certainly any reference to Bill Clinton is always President Clinton. Is this going on in other networks too?

I hear this on every network, except Fox. I really get Po'ed when they refer to El slicko as President Clinton, not former President Clintoon.

[LandofLincoln]

Great call.

[eyespysomething]

I dislike how they refer to him as George W instead of anything else.

[LisaMalia]

I have noticed this in many instances with the press, and it just really has been a thorn in my side.
He should be addressed as President Bush. Anything else is a sign of disrespect, in my book.

[Lancey Howard]

There was a thread yesterday about the death of Teddy Roosevelt. It was from the New York Times and in the (fairly long) report, Roosevelt was referred to every time as "Colonel Roosevelt".

[Robert A Cook PE]

Ah, but kind sir, the national news media ARE following the dnc's latest faux fax sheet about honorifics and political titles:

IN EVERY recent story about Howard Dean, they have been using "Dr. Dean" ten-twenty times per story!

[RightFighter]

I thought when I was in school that they taught us that when referring to the President of the United States, it was appropriate to always capitalize the "P", so in a news story it would be appropriate to use "the President" but not "the president". However, I see news stories all the time where the p is not capitalized. Anyone know what is proper in this respect?

[New Horizon]

I don't think I ever heard the press refer to President Clinton as Mr. Clinton.

He still receives the old "Former President Bill Clinton" frequently.

[BlueNgold]

Have heard reports that he prefers to be called Mr. Bush unless it is in formal settings where protocol and respect for the office need to be highlighted. Not sure how true it is, but it came from a reliable source.

[So Cal Rocket]

LMNO Ducks

[trebb]

This has been a major gripe of mine for some time - Klinton, Carter, Gore, etc., are almost invariably referred to by their preisidential/vice presidential titles, while President Bush is mainly reffered to as "Bush" or "Mr. Bush". I hate to tell them, but he is more of a President than we've had since Reagan and refusal to use the title will not change that fact.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Just talked to my son in Seattle. He said he was one of two people to make it in to the office yesterday. Today, he's staying home...

[Camachee]

The AP Stylebook gives "Mr.---- or President ---- as proper.

That sounds right. My personal preference is "Mr. President". :)

[Conservomax]

I believe both are proper, however, they obviously made choice to say Mr. Bush.

[twigs]

I had no idea that was proper. Thanks for the info.