"I have never understood why when someone is not longer in a certain position why the media calls them "Mr. Secretary" or whatever. I don't even like the calling of ex-presidents "president Clinton" or whatever. It's not their job anymore."
It is standard etiquette to refer to someone by the highest title they have held, however long after the fact. This is why you see some people referred to in interviews as "Ambassador", etc., even when they have been retired for a long time.
This is a rule of protocol that goes back for generations, not a media invention.
Thanks for the information but I insist that the practice be stopped, please handle that for me:)