Addressing current and former Presidents?

[The J Word]

Ok so say i have a run in with Barack Obama today, and then a run in with George W Bush tomorrow.
As i understand it, both can be referred to as "Mr President", but is it required for Obama and just etiquette for Bush?

Also how about using "The President" when referring to them? Say i get a phone call and im sitting with Bush, is saying "The President is going to be another 5 or 10 minutes.." incorrect?

My guess is that only the sitting President is referred to as "The President", all former Presidents can be "Mr President" (as a courtesy) and the current President is always and only "Mr President" or "President Lastname"?

Also does it matter who is referring to them, whether it be a member of the armed forces, a member of the public, or a fellow member of the government ?

Thanks for your help
J

[ulfhjorr]

It used to be that one only referred to the current president as "Mr. President" and all former presidents reverted back to their highest formerly held title -- so Bush and Clinton, for example, would both be referred to as "Governor". The idea was that while there are always plenty of governors, senators, etc. around, there is only one President of the US at any one time.

This rule, it seems has gone by the wayside in some corners. I'd like to see it make a comeback, though.

[Dave]

That's an interesting rule. Under this rule Carter would also be addressed as "governor". What would be the appropriate way to refer to Bush Sr.? Ambassador?

[The J Word]

So it's obviously just courtesy to say these things to former presidents, but are there any actual rules about citizens (or members of the armed forces, or Govt members) addressing a sitting President?

J

[Giles]

It strikes me as odd to address William Jefferson Clinton as "Governor", since he hasn't been a governor for about 16 years now. If I met him, I'd either say "Mr Clinton" or "Mr President", though I think the former is better, and addressing him as "President" is a little odd, even if a nice courtesy. Of course, he probably gets all of those, and doesn't mind any. He probably also gets those who call him "Bill" when they first meet, and doesn't worry about that either.

[The J Word]

Honestly, i do thank everyone for their input, but this forum is "Questions & Answers". If you're about to post with just an opinion of what you would do, or what should happen then please don't.
I'd rather let this drift off the front page into oblivion than read a bunch of IMHO-type chatter.

J

[Guizmeaux]

Honestly, i do thank everyone for their input, but this forum is "Questions & Answers". If you're about to post with just an opinion of what you would do, or what should happen then please don't.
I'd rather let this drift off the front page into oblivion than read a bunch of IMHO-type chatter.

J

My first thought was that your post was a little brusque, but having sat and thought about it, I applaud the sentiment.

I've been doing a little bit of searching and have found the following, which may or may not be 100% accurate. I'm adding no opinions, just citing potted quotes from a dozen websites I found ;

Former president:

• 1) In documents, news reports or speeches, it is customary to refer to him as "Former president (Name)" and thenceforth as "Mr. (Name)". Although not an official, mandated policy, the convention has come about in the aim of providing clarity for the reader/listener.
  2) In person, it is customary to refer to him either by his current position (senator, governor, etc), or if none is held, "Mr. (Name)". Again, not mandated.
  3) In the military, he should be referred to as "sir". He should not be saluted unless (according to the US Army Field Manual FM 22-5) he holds a medal of honour.

Current president:

• 1) In documents, news reports or speeches, he should be referred to as "President (Name)" in all instances.
  2) In person, he should be referred to as "Mr. President" unless he invites you to do otherwise.
  3) In the military, he is referred to as "Mr. President" or "Sir", depending on context. There seems to be some confusion about this next point: Traditionally, he should not be saluted since he is not in uniform - you salute a uniform and a rank, not the person in possession of them. However, it would also appear that it's now customary to salute him because he does have a rank - Commander in Chief. (Sorry I can't get a definitive on this).

(Excuse the sexism, "he" - it's for brevity and clarity)

[MsRobyn]

Guizemeaux has it right, for the most part. In terms of salutes, the president (note the lowercase p) rates one; if you've ever watched President Obama get on or off Air Force One, the military personnel line up and salute him as he does so.

That said, you call people what they want to be called. I know former President Clinton doesn't mind being called "Bill." I saw him speak at a rally last fall, and several people addressed him as Bill, and he didn't seem to mind. Of course, pressing the flesh isn't the time to correct people on the proper form of address. (I was standing fifteen feet away from the guy as he spoke, and I got to shake his hand. Volunteering for the Obama campaign paid off.) If I were to meet Mrs. Obama, and she asked me to call her Michelle, I'd call her Michelle.

[Skald the Rhymer]

It strikes me as odd to address William Jefferson Clinton as "Governor", since he hasn't been a governor for about 16 years now.

It's been nearly 30 years since James Earl Carter was President. How is calling him "President Carter" any odder?

[Guizmeaux]

You know, using their middle names makes them sound like serial killers.

[Skald the Rhymer]

You know, using their middle names makes them sound like serial killers.

Jeffrey Dahmer.

Aileen Wournous.

Terry Blair.

Andrew Cunanan.

Ted Bundy.

Ed Gein.

Yes, the most famous serial killers are all known by three names.

[MsRobyn]

You know, using their middle names makes them sound like serial killers.

Only if their middle name is either Wayne or Allen.