President Ford and mr. bush

[mr-pirk]

Something I first started noticing just after G.W. Bush"™s first election was the way the press often refers to the President as Mr. Bush. Perhaps the press was using the term Mr. Clinton instead of President Clinton just as often, but to my faulty memory it became sort of common during Bush"™s terms.
I noticed today a large number of reporters using the term Mr. when either referring to former President Ford or sitting President Bush.

To me it just seems a little disrespectful to not say Former President when referring to a retired President in the 3rd person or Mr. President when speaking to them directly.

I also do not believe it is proper to refer to a sitting President as any thing other than Mr. President.

I don"™t think it is a left verses right issue. I believe it is a manifestation of self-loathing that some segments of Americans seem to have developed over the last 10 years or so for America.

Thanks
Mr-Pirk

[Aught Six]

No, you're right on. I noticed it after we invaded Iraq, and I was pretty PO'ed about it. But, as we all know, various media outlets do as they please to whomever they please. Quite a few people in this country have forgotten what respect is all about, and sadly, it shows.

[Whitehorse]

Those who pay more attention can correct or corroberate, however I do think that the press did refer to Pres. Clinton as Mr. Clinton...

[kevin1]

Via Google:How to Address the President

Instructions:

STEP 1: Stand when you hear "The Star-Spangled Banner" (the U.S. national anthem), which is always played at the occasion of the president's appearance.

STEP 2: Rise when the president enters the room, if you are not already standing.

STEP 3: Address the president as Mr. President or Ms. President when speaking to him or her.

STEP 4: Address all correspondence to The President of the United States of America, The White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington DC, 20500.

STEP 5: Say "the president" or "the president of the United States" when introducing the president to others.

STEP 6: Put out your right hand and shake his or her proffered one.

Tips & Warnings
Ex-presidents get to retain their titles forever, so when you meet a past president, use the same form of address as you would with a current one.

If the president is a married man, his wife, the first lady, is addressed as Ms. or Mrs. followed by her own last name (be it her maiden or married name).

Heavy security, courtesy of the Secret Service, surrounds the president at all times.