Here's an AP announcement to its subscriber editors followed by my comments.
11/12/2008
Presidential Style, Advisory
EDITORS:
The Associated Press is adopting a universal style for referring to all heads of state, including the United States.
Effective Thursday at 3 a.m. EST, the AP will use the title and first and family names on first reference: President George W. Bush, not just President Bush; President-elect Barack Obama, not just President-elect Obama; President Nicolas Sarkozy, not just President Sarkozy.
The AP Contact:
Paul Colford
Director of Media Relations
The Associated Press
212. 621.1720
*********************************************************
Comments:
At Poynter Online there are as of now just two comments responding to the AP’s “universal style” announcement. They’re identical: “Why?”
I’m guessing the commenters know why, just as you and I know why: the AP wants to leave no one doubting it respects The One.
“President Bush” on first reference was good enough for our current president, but “President Obama” would never do for our historic President-elect Obama.
Opps! I meant our historic President-elect Barack Obama.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
AP's latest bow to The One
Posted by JWM at 1:01 PM
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6 comments:
Hey! What happened to Saint? It should be President-Elect Saint Barack H. Obama. Maybe we could even add "His Highness?"
Tarheel Hawkeye
That's ridiculous. The style also will apply retroactively to all Republican presidents and to all Republican presidents in the sufture.
Um, wouldn't it be more logical to assume that this change has been made now that we're about to have two former President Bushes?
::shakes head::
Slow news day, John? You've made some pretty "out there" calls in the past, but this one might take the cake. How, exactly, is this "bowing" to Obama?
I'm with 8:32 - WOULDN'T that be a more logical reason?
I still want the mirror concession in the President Barack H. Obama White House.
f1guyus has put his/her finger on it precisely. Our next president is narcissism personified. I hope for the sake of our country he realizes sooner rather than later that his ego may lead him into some pretty dangerous territory.
Tarheel Hawkeye
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