CBS calls him "Mr. Obama". Twice. Why?

[trof]

A reporter, commenting on his speech to the U.N. refers to him as "Mister Obama".
Cut to Scott Pelley, who also refers to him as "Mister Obama".

Am I right that it's generally accepted to call individuals who have achieved high public office by their title?
Present OR past?
"Governor Romney"
"Secretary Clinton"
Or at least "Former president Clinton".

Maybe I'm being picky, but it pisses me off.

[montanacowboy]

1. They do that to demean him

nt

[spanone]

2. they have no respect for him.....whatsoever

[Agnosticsherbet]

3. This has been going on since the innaguration...

In the past there were occasional lapses, but since President Obama won, it has been common for news services to fail to use the title that he deserves.

It would be interesting to see if the same people are likely to call Romney Governor, but fail to call Obama President.

[BanzaiBonnie]

4. I notice that all the time with Scott Pelley

[NutmegYankee]

5. It is standard for News Orgs to refer to him as President the first time,

and as Mr. afterwards in all other references. Newspapers follow this as well.

[FSogol]

7. True. n/t

[LeftofObama]

8. That's the way I always understood it to be.

Refer to him as President Obama the first time and you can use Mr. Obama after that.

[trof]

11. So if you happen to miss 'the first time'...

[hifiguy]

28. +1 That is SOP in all media. nt

[DonViejo]

29. Yep, I've seen it in the NY Times.

[Skittles]

31. correct

[undeterred]

6. They are assholes.

[eShirl]

9. oh good grief

Presidents have been directly addressed by reporters as "Mr. [surname]" since before I was born.

[enough]

10. Me too, which in my case is a very long time ago. (nt)

[trof]

12. Get off my rant. I was born before you were.

[eShirl]

15. oh yeah? well...

can I get you a pillow?

[trof]

17. NO! Come change my Depends.

AND GET OFF MY LAWN!

[Sherman A1]

21. Precisely

It is entirely proper to do so.

[Luminous Animal]

13. It's standard news reporting....

Do a google news search for "Mr. Bush".

[WinkyDink]

19. How about "Mr. Reagan" since he's been dead?

[Tx4obama]

14. Today on MSNBC a Democrat said: " ... Obama, President Obama ..." and I thought ATTA GIRL! n/t

[Journeyman]

16. The AP Style Guide says first reference, "President (First Name, Last Name)," second reference. . .

and all subsequent references within each story, (Last Name) is sufficient.

The New York Times refers to everyone as "Mr. (Last Name)" in all second references.

I see nothing wrong with what the CBS reporters are doing, and in fact, the "Mr." appellation is more respectful than a simple last name.

The AP Style Guide was first published in 1953.

[WinkyDink]

18. I get that. BUT: Sean Hannity et al. complained about "Mr." Bush.

[Journeyman]

22. Oh. I see. So you feel you need to copy their inanities? . . .

[WinkyDink]

26. No. Just sayin'.

[louis-t]

30. And bush complained about "Mr. bush".

Remember "WHO YOU TALKIN' TO?"

[kestrel91316]

20. I expect them to start calling him "Barry" any day now, and then

"Boy", and then, "you uppity n----r".

It is deliberately disrespectful.

[Journeyman]

24. Why would you think they would do that, when "Mr. Obama" is proper and correct . . .

on second reference in a news story, and has been since at least the mid-20th century? At least, that's when it was codified for all news agencies with the publication of the first AP Style Guide.

[kestrel91316]

33. I misunderstood the context - my bad. But there are many in the media that I expect disrespect from.

[GoneOffShore]

25. Nope. As said earlier -

First reference is President Obama - then Mr. Obama after that.

Same applies in France, England, and Germany as regards style.

Hence - President Hollande, former President Sarkozy - then Mr. Hollande, Mr. Sarkozy.

Prime Minister Cameron, then Mr Cameron.

etc, etc.

[jberryhill]

23. That is the standard form of address established by G Washington

That has been normal usage for DECADES.

[WilliamPitt]

32. It's OK.

"Mr." is respect.

Really. It's OK.

[Posteritatis]

34. You are not right, as numerous responses in this thread note.

Most protocols of address specify the formal title or something similar on the first mention and a simpler one thereafter.

There's absolutely nothing worth getting upset about here.

[hrmjustin]

35. It happens a lot of the time. I don't think for most of them it means anything, but on fox they...

... never call him President Obama. I hope they pay attention to their words more often, and remember he is the president.