Reply #48: I DO hear what you are saying. [View All]

[dixiegrrrrl]

I think the confusion lies in the difference between formal and informal use of the name of the
President.
As others have pointed out, the "real" news style book says it is correct to say
"President Obama" at first usage, then one can correctly, formally, use his last name, even saying Mr. Obama in some contexts.
If you were to go back thru newspaper archives, it might be interesting to see how President
Roosevelt and others before him were written about.
I am old enough to remember President Eisenhower. I think, but am not positive, he was often referred to in print as The President, since President Eisenhower was a mouthful.
but when people talked about him informally, he was almost always "Ike", and "Ike" was used extensively in his campaign slogan.
Truman was often used informally, while President Kennedy was JFK, and sometimes just
Kennedy. After that I remember it being coming to use last names of the Presidents in informal
discussions.
except I called Bush 2 "shrub" plus a lot of other names.

Therefore, when here on DU, or informally, Obama is used, it is the tone more than the lack of Presidential prefix that tells me if his rank is being disrespected.
"Obamacare" I always correct when I hear it.

All of that said, of course your right to express your feelings and opinion should be respected on DU, even if some do not agree with your point, or if you do not agree with how others see your point.