Do we HAVE to refer to Obama

[demwing]

as PE Obama? When he is P, not PE, must we call him President Obama?

How many Obamas could we be referring to?

I guess it irks me in the same way that some insist that all Doctors be referred to with their medical title. This is America! We don't need no stinking titles!

I vote for the continued use of the simple "Obama"

[Posteritatis]

1. We must differentiate between the countless Obamae of the world! (nt)

[demwing]

17. Obamae?

thats flipping funny as hell. :fistbump:

[BumRushDaShow]

41. LOL!

:rofl:

[patrice]

2. ?

:shrug:

[143tbone]

3. The title of President was hard won. I think we owe him the respect. n/t

[Obamanaut]

31. So when I speak with him I will certainly address him as Mr President

or President Obama. But on a forum board on the internets, Obama seems ok.

I doubt I will ever speak with him though.

[Fire1]

53. I agree. President Obama, it is.

[Orsino]

63. I can hardly wait to call him "President"...

...however, I don't want to let * off the hook (anymore than he has been) for the job he holds and doesn't goddamned do.

[countingbluecars]

4. President Obama

sounds just right to me.

[merh]

5. Obama works for me

until Michelle runs for office and the girls have graduated college and seek office. ;)

[La Lioness Priyanka]

6. LOL

:rofl: thanks for the laugh

[baldguy]

7. Simply because the office has been treated like shit by the GOP for the last 16 yrs

doesn't mean that we should forget that the President deserves respect.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

8. Yes. "PRESIDENT Barack Hussein Obama" makes freeper heads explode.

And I like it when that happens.

[Tutonic]

It killed Pat Boone.

[demwing]

22. Pat Boone is dead?

how can you tell?

[Jamastiene]

60. ...

:evilgrin:

[Uzybone]

9. call him whatever you want

I haven't heard anyone demand Obama be called by any title.

[demwing]

15. No one has. Not my point.

I'm just kind of being a goof. Wasn't that clear?

[Uzybone]

19. Sorry, I was being over-sensitive

I think he fully deserves the respect of being called President Obama. I was kind of irked to see anyone suggest otherwise. :)

[gristy]

10. President-Elect Obama or President Obama is appropriate

This is simple respect for the individual and for the institution.
The NY Times will use that form in the first mention of Obama in an article, and thereafter use "Mr. Obama". This is what they do now for Bush.
Here's an example:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/11/us/politics/11auto.html?scp=3&sq=President%20Bush&st=cse

WASHINGTON — The struggling auto industry was thrust into the middle of a political standoff between the White House and Democrats on Monday as President-elect Barack Obama urged President Bush in a meeting at the White House to support immediate emergency aid.

Mr. Bush indicated at the meeting that he might support some aid and a broader economic stimulus package if Mr. Obama and Congressional Democrats dropped their opposition to a free-trade agreement with Colombia, a measure for which Mr. Bush has long fought, people familiar with the discussion said.

And FWIT, I always address my doctor as "Dr. Smith". Simple respect. He's earned it.

[lunatica]

39. It's actually correct in writing to say President Obama first and only Obama thereafter

You will find this is a general rule in all research papers, academic writing, and in newspapers. One can actually get points taken away on academic papers if this protocol isn't followed.

For example, the use of 'Senator Hillary Clinton' is used initially and only 'Clinton' after that, even when many people think of Bill Clinton when the word 'Clinton' is used alone.

[Hawkowl]

11. MUST be President Obama

Please. It is a show of respect. Although I have never referred to Bush as President Bush, the media does.

Ask yourself this: DO YOU WANT THE FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN PRESIDENT TO BE THE FIRST PERSON NOT REFERRED TO AS PRESIDENT?

Really. If it was good enough for 43 white guys, don't fucking tell me were not going to call him PRESIDENT OBAMA.

[Thothmes]

13. Until sworn in IAW the Constitution

of the United States, those 43 white guys were not the President of the United States either. they do not become the President until they take the oath required by the Consitution.

[Hawkowl]

16. No shit Sherlock

After he's president it's Mr. President.

[demwing]

20. Just call him Barack. Better yet, to explode said freeper head, lets call him President Hussein!

[lunatica]

42. You're right but only when you are speaking to him...

do you refer to him as Mr. President. And you continue to do so unless he says otherwise, which he might in private, but you never continue to refer to him by his name only in public.

But when talking about him it is quite correct to just use his last name as well as saying President Obama. Neither is considered a lack of respect per se. Both are respectful. It's the other words you use in conjunction with his name or title that make it respectful or not. Which do you think is more respectful? "Stupid President Obama", or "I love Obama".

[NJCher]

12. English teacher here

Actually, that is an English rule. It also applies to senators, chairpersons, etc. I was just teaching that rule last week.




Cher

[demwing]

14. Yes, in formal correspondences or when writing professionally

but in the DU forums?

We never referred to him as Senator Obama while he was running, why suddenly change the rules of informality?

[polmaven]

33. Actually,

I almost always referred to him as Senator Obama, just as I referred to Senator Clinton, etc.

[143tbone]

44. There are rules of informality? n/t

[annabanana]

18. I shall call him "Barack"

Or "son" as he is much younger than me. Or "Sugar" because he is do damn cute!

[demwing]

21. That's Mr President Sugar

Till you get to know him better :)

[Bake]

64. You call the President-Elect "Sugar?"

I bet Michelle will whup your @ss!!!!!

:rofl:

Bake

[liberalmuse]

23. I dunno.

My inclination is to call him, 'President Obama' because I love the sound of that, and, of course, 'President Barack HUSSEIN Obama' when in the company of asshat conservatives. As far as I'm concerned, he's the only President we've had since 1/19/2001.

[treestar]

24. We do it because we like it

It also annoys freepers and the like.

We are happy about it, why shouldn't be use the PE title? And the then P title? We will finally have a real President, rather than a Pretzeldent.

[demwing]

28. Well, if its just to give Creeps to the Freeps

Then I guess it's ok.

[rvablue]

25. Of course his monicker is now President Obama but if some DU

posts casually refer to him as "Obama" or "Barack" I sincerely hope it is not going to invite a flame fest rebuke.

That would really suck.

[Orsino]

26. Call him whatever you like...

...just don't call him late for the Inauguration.

[demwing]

29. Or to Pie

Inauguration Pie!

[WinkyDink]

27. Do what you want. As everyone else will. A title does not imply royalty, FGS.

[demwing]

30. Are you sure, FGS?

Because, FGS, I'd hate to get this wrong :)

[northernlights]

32. because after 8 years in the wilderness

it's gonna be wonderful to have a real, elected PRESIDENT sitting in the white house again.

And because calling him President Barack Hussein Obama makes certain heads blow up.

[CTyankee]

34. I call him President Obama and I dare anybody to call me on it!

I will not tolerate anybody arguing with me on this!

Sorry, I'm too mad to give it up. He's President Barack H. Obama to me from now till 2012 and I expect him to win and be P until 2016.

[happychatter]

35. I'm an American. I can call the Prez any damn thing I want.

no iconography in the living room

no forced party memberships

no reverence required

he IS a helluva guy though

man, did you watch Press the Meat today?

It's a nearly impossible task... but if ANYONE were up to it, it's Obama

he had a comprehensive understanding of everything discussed... no BS in him

[TripleKatPad]

36. Is it ok if I refer to him as PO? (after inauguration)

I like to use shorthand. In the same vein, I referred to Dumbya as PEW before he was inaugurated. I thought it was fitting.

[HughMoran]

37. I think people are reminding us that he's not President yet

You know, the one's who are ready to impeach him already?

[AllentownJake]

47. I saw an impeach sticker on a car

the other day...gave them the finger.

If they defended Bush the last 6 years since Iraq and they want to Impeach Obama before he's even sworn in...:mad:

Probably the same fucktards telling me I had to repsect Bush because if I didn't I wasn't respecting the office of the Presidency :puke:

[ACTION BASTARD]

38. I vote we refer to him as "THE ONE".

[lunatica]

43. or "THAT ONE"

:fistbump::fistbump::fistbump::fistbump::fistbump:

[political_Dem]

40. Yes.

If you won a hard fought election such as the one Mr. Obama did, would you not want to be afforded some respect?

[AllentownJake]

45. At the Food Distribution he told the people he was giving food to

to call him Barack.

However, once he becomes President it will always be President Obama for me. :-)

[Beacool]

46. I'll still call him Obama.

And yes, he is PE until 1/20/09. Actually, he's technically not even PE until the electorate college convenes on the 15th. That not only applies to Obama, but any other person who wins a presidential election. There can only be one president at the time and we are stuck with Bush for another 1 1/2 months.

:shrug:

[AllentownJake]

48. I still call him Barack

Worked for the campaign so long I feel like I know him...and I only shook his hand once and the only thing I've ever said to him directly is I got your back Barack. :rofl:

[kentuck]

49. me too.

Barack.

[Clio the Leo]

50. I dont like "Obama" because it feels a little impersonal to me...

.... but to each their own. It makes me feel the way I've felt saying "Bush" all these years.

I prefer "Our President" (because "President" is an action verb, not a title! lol) our "Barack." (Because if Joe is still callin' him Barack, and the man himself is asking people to call him that, then that's enough for me!)

[RichGirl]

51. When referring to him out in public it will be....

President Obama. But, in the internet world shortened words and abbreviations are okay. Maybe Pres O. Maybe just O is enough.

[demwing]

52. How about we call him Prez?

and leave it at that?

[Forkboy]

54. I didn't even known this was an issue.

Learn something new every day. :shrug:

I still call him Obama, and can't see changing.

[greguganus]

55. When he's prez, can we call him P O? n/t

[Hippo_Tron]

56. In a discussion forum there's nothing wrong with referring to the president colloquially

But if you are writing an article or official correspondence you should refer to him as President Obama. Likewise should you ever have the opportunity to meet the man you should address him as Mr. President. I would've extended Bush the same respect if I had the chance to meet him. Of course if it were in 2004 I would've made sure to wear a John Kerry t-shirt.

[No Elephants]

57. You can call President Elect Obama whatever you want and so can the rest of us. It's a free country

[srhuddle]

58. It's a confirmation that yes, this really did happen.

After eight years of Bush I have to constantly remind myself that we won, that we truly elected not only a mere Democratic candidate but someone far greater: Barack Obama. On election night I must've said President-elect Barack Obama close to a hundred times.

And besides, it's a great feeling to mention President-elect Barack Obama, or better yet Barack Hussein Obama, in front of people who spouted "he's a Muslim" constantly during the campaign. As much as I try to reach out to reasonable Republicans I can't help myself from loving making the unreasonable bastard contingent visibly wince.

[Jamastiene]

59. Yes, we do. Here is why:

He is the next president of the US.

For 8 solid years we heard "President Bush" this and "President Bush" that. It was annoying as hell to MOST of us. It REALLY got on our nerves.

It's our turn, dammit. 0.o

[LanternWaste]

61. It's simply a show of respect of the person and/or the position...

"We don't need no stinking titles"

Maybe. Maybe not. But I still use the nominative "Mr." or "Mrs.", "Your Honor", "Yes, sir", "no, ma'am", etc.

For my part, it's simply a show of respect of the person and/or the position.

And as that it hurts or abuses absolutely nothing other than someone's accommodations and convenience, I'll stick to using them until I hear a valid, effective and useful reason not to.

Edited: spelling

[democrattotheend]

62. I just think the title sounds good

We worked for over a year to help make him President-Elect. I think President-Elect Obama sounds good and I'm going to use the title because I worked hard to help get him that title.

[Overseas]

65. Do we have to get all upset if someone uses his title?

No, we could just let them enjoy themselves.

[LynneSin]

66. I spent 8 years NOT calling Bush the "P" word

I'd like to use it again now that we have a great guy like Obama running the show.

[grantcart]

67. Mr. Demwing, Sir, that is a question for the Magistrate.

Do you have any doubt how he will rule, Sir?

[Pirate Smile]

68. We can use O for short hand. We all know who that means.

[rucky]

69. Agree. "PE" brings back embarrassing childhood memories for me.

[Splinter Cell]

70. I get your point...

Mostly it's just a sign of respect.