The phrase "THIS President"

[Tx4obama]

I was going to post about this a couple of days ago and I forgot.

I can't remember if it was at the beginning of this week or the end of last week, but ...

all day long for about two days every time there was a republican Congressperson on CNN and MSNBC it seemed like they were using the phrase " THIS President" with the emphasis on the word "THIS". None of them were saying 'President Obama' or even just 'Obama' - it was always "THIS President".

By the end of the day I was thinking that someone must of sent out a memo to the GOPers telling them not to utter the word 'Obama'.

It reminded me of the time that McCain said "That One" when referring to Senator Obama during one of the 2008 debates.

I'm going to keep an ear out for it to see if this is some sort of a strategy they are collectively trying to use this time around.

Did anyone else notice?

[pamela]

1. I haven't noticed that but I'll keep my ears open.

I usually notice stuff like that and it sure wouldn't surprise me. I have made a point since early in President Obama's presidency to refer to him as President Obama. I don't ever recall a president being treated as disrespectfully as he has been treated so I kind of go overboard to make sure I always use his title. Plus, it drives the wingnuts crazy.

[Obamacare]

2. I have noticed this too

Thanks for starting this thread. I noticed it on the Bill Maher show, that one rethug hack from CA, kept saying this president has done this or that. Yes, they never say President Obama, but this president. A couple of years ago, they used to say Mr.Obama, never President Obama. I think they sent out a memo as well, because all of them are saying that phrase, this president. What a bunch of idiots, they will completely lose their minds when President Obama is re-elected.lol

[Tx4obama]

3. Oh yeah. That's right Rep. Dana Rohrbacher on Bill Maher did it too !!! n/t

[xfundy]

4. Repig Borg leaders send out talking points daily

and repigs always follow them to the letter. They keep looking "united" and and "strong" that way, but it's become blatant and silly.

Republican is futile.

[KharmaTrain]

5. I've Seen The Opposite...

There are some talking heads who refuse to call this President by his proper title. They just can't admit that the man's the Commander in Chief and by just calling him Obama this somehow deligitimizes the fact a black man is the President of the United States!

[HipChick]

6. It's codeword,since they just can't come out fully and use the N-word.

[a kennedy]

7. Kinda like when they all got the memo on "democrat" as in

Republican and Democrat parties. Ugh. Just burns my ears when I hear it.

[Raven]

8. In the city I worked for years ago, the Police Chief

always referred to the Mayor as "this Mayor". His point was that he had survived many mayors and would be around after "this" mayor was gone.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

9. I just realized it

I've always felt that the way they talk about President Obama is condescending but I could never quite put my finger on what exactly it was that bothered me so much about it.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

10. Don't forget "DimSon", "Junior", "Asshat"...Don't think I ever uttered "President" and "Bush" in

the same sentence.

But, "This President" is particularly demeaning to me.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

11. They've been referring to him as that as a perjorative every since he raised

his hand and took the oath...the oath that had to be administered twice because Chief Justice Roberts (deliberately) fucked it up.

[grantcart]

12. A case where the demonstrative pronoun demonstrates a profound bigotry.

demonstrative pronoun

a pronoun that points out an intended referent

[HopeHoops]

13. Oh, you mean that black fellah, whatshisname. Yeah, yeah, I've seen him.

It's all part of demonizing him and Rove/Ailes are behind it. That's why you will NEVER hear FOX say the "Democratic" party. They always say the "Democrat" party. We've avoided reciprocating and using the "Republic" party. Their code words are meant to be insulting without making it obvious. Those of us who actually LISTEN to what is said know otherwise.

[treestar]

14. I read something once to the effect that

the pundits use that phrase to heighten their own sense of ego and power. They are always there, gabbling, while Presidents come and go. The current President is just another President, whose time shall pass. But Blabbermouth will still be on TEEVEE, saying inanities about future Presidents.

[jenmito]

15. Gingrich always just calls him "Obama." And in a Romney ad, at the end of it the ad said, "And if

Gingrich wins, THIS guy (pic of Obama) will be VERY happy."

[alwysdrunk]

16. I remember hearing for Bush too

Could just be the way people talk now. Media types follow trends together.

I remember hearing it a lot from everyone, even Hannity types about Bush during the Iraq quagmire period.

Also This White House, This Administration... I don't think it's a thing really.

[Honeycombe8]

17. Good catch. I didn't notice, but your theory sounds very likely.

Every time they say the name, it's a plug, in a way, for the other guy. It helps to objectify a President, who happens to be one of the most well liked Presidents in recent history. It also helps to not give the respect due a President, which is a problem running against an incumbent.