"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".

[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". I've seen this on the increase recently as the election is heating up. Has anyone else noticed? 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?

[ladtx]

I believe either is proper.

[Az Joe]

They probably think calling him "Mr" Bush is a sign of respect after what they call him off camera.

[demlosers]

I don't remember hearing them say 'Mister Clinton.'

[Steve_Seattle]

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

[Maceman]

Well, it's not like Bush was really elected or anything.

(Just KIDDING!)

[EllaMinnow]

I first noticed it back when it was "Mister Carter" and I've heard it for every president since.

[Camachee]

Actually, if you listen to so-called conservative talk show hosts like Hannity and Rush, they often just call him just "Bush" in discussions. It's just a general incivility and lack of protocol and doesn't belong exclusively to the left. You'd think our side could do better.

[dangus]

Give six months, and it will be "Nominee President Dean [or Clark]," "President Hussein" and "Dictator Bush."

News story references:
*BBC, Reuters, ABC, etc. refer to Hussein as President Hussein, even though he seized power by violent coup and never faced a contested election. Meanwhile, it's "Dictator Pinochet," even though he was democratically elected, re-elected, and then unelected.

*Gallup says Clark closed the gap on Dean, going from 22 points down to an insiginificant 4 points down. Now, everyone expects Dean to win New Hampshire, probably Iowa; If Clark then takes any of the states the next week (SC, AZ, NM, OK, MI and two others), he will have be in a tie nationally, will have momentum, and Dean will have fired his ammo.

[doug from upland]

A reporter will always start a story using the designation "President." After that, it is typical protocol to use "Mr."

[Eric in the Ozarks]

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

[Dave S]

I don't remember hearing them say 'Mister Clinton.'

I do. The terms are used interchangably. However, if you are talking to Mr. Bush, you refer to him as Mr. President.

[AmericanInTokyo]

I propose "Senor Bush". From today, onward.

[Steve_Seattle]

What if Edwards wins in SC? Will the press then seize upon him - an affable, photogenic Southern Democrat - as a winnable alternative to Dean? Will Edwards suddenly become the talk of the town?

[kegler4]

This is absolutely proper and has been used with every president I can remember. They might not respect him but this is not proof of it.

[reagan_fanatic]

Peetah Jennings on ABC refers to President Bush in the same manner. I don't think they mean it in a respectful way.

[steveo]

MR Ducks

[Catspaw]

dfu, the stylebooks (AP is the one that's usually used, although there are others), it's "President" on the first reference, "Mr." used on the second and all subsequent reference.

[7thson]

The first time I noticed this was during the 92 debates. Clinton continually refered to President Bush as Mr. Bush - to his face! It was a obvious and predetermined sign of disrespect! One of the first reasons I could not stand Clinton.