Katie Couric means no disrespect when calling bush, 'mr. bush'.

[Philosoraptor]

http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2006/12/14/couricandco/entry2265934.shtml

But not the President. When we call him Mr. Bush in our radio and TV news reports, it is meant as a sign of respect, though some misinterpret it as derision of some kind.

If on every reference I called him "President Bush," it would grate on the ear. By calling him “Mister Bush” on second reference, we make the report easier to understand – while at the same time – showing our respect.

So please bear that in mind, when you hear the phrase “Mister Bush.” No disrespect is meant or intended. Just the opposite.

-----------------

I hear ya Katie baby, I get slack all the time when I call bush mr. fuckface.

[Ian David]

1. KKKatie needs another colonoscopy. Daily. n/t

[Bluebear]

2. Katie ROCKS!

:crazy:

[LSparkle]

3. The fact it may be important to him shows he's a whackjob

I'm sure Kim Jong Il REQURIES his subjects to refer to him as "Dear Leader". Just like Faye Dunnaway's Joan Crawford ("yes, Mommy ... Dearest"). You don't automatically GET respect, Mr. RatBastard, you have to EARN IT.

[Posteritatis]

4. The NDP up here in Canada

went several years without actually referring to Bush as either "Mr. Bush" or "President Bush" - I'm not sure if they were explicit about it, but it basically came across as though they didn't recognize him as the legitimate president for something close to five years. Whenever he was brought up, in discussions, party platform documents, debates, etc., it was always just "George Bush."

[Libby2]

5. Well I can tell you,

I remember being livid when they would refer to President Clinton as Clinton.
They did, on air, and in print.
I'm not necessarily talking Couric here, but others.

[MADem]

6. NPR does the same damn thing, and no one gets on them for it

And no one gets their nuts in an uproar when the newspapers call the bum by his last name, alone:

'President?' 'Mister?' or Just Plain 'Bush?'

The other longtime issue for some listeners, like fingernails on a blackboard, is how NPR refers to President Bush.

Many ask why NPR refers to the president of the United States as "Mr. Bush" on second reference, instead of "President Bush" in all cases? Some listeners, like Tom King, insist this sounds insufficiently respectful.

Frequently on NPR news shows, reports dealing with the U.S. president refer to him as "President Bush" once, but then all additional references are to "Mr. Bush". This seems unique to the president, as other people with titles are always addressed as Sen. Smith or Dr. Jones, etc. Is there a reason why President Bush does not get the same consideration?

Using the Honorific

The title, such as "President," "Mr." or "Ms.", in front of a name is called an honorific. NPR uses the honorific "President" on first reference and then "Mr." for all subsequent mentions. This has been NPR's style going back at least to the Ford administration. Most other broadcasters have the same policy. It also makes for better writing to vary the honorific.

Newspapers seem to have a different standard. For some reason, the president is usually referred to as "President Bush" or "the president," on first reference. But the honorific is rarely used on second reference. And in newspaper headlines particularly, the solitary "Bush" is often seen.

The president is the only person who -- by decree and tradition at NPR -- gets the honorific. All others who are mentioned in news reports are usually referred to by their title or occupation on first reference ("Jane Doe is a reporter for The New York Times..."). After that, it's surnames only.....
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5226976

[Doctor_J]

7. I'll give them a few disrespectful names she SHOULD use.

Il Dunce' is my own creation, and would be cleared for air time.

[novalib]

8. Der Fuhrer??!!

HEY KATIE --

How about you call * "DER FURHER" or "DEAR LEADER" or "TYRANT BUSH" or "EXHALTED EMPEROR" instead???!!!!

All of those names are names DADDY BUSH wanted to be called.

[elperromagico]

9. There are far worse things to call him. nt

[WI_DEM]

10. This is not exactly new--all reporters have done this with presidents

called them "President whatever" and then followed up in the same report by saying "Mr. blank", but with Bush he is so egotistical and insecure that if he isn't called "President Bush" or "Mr. President" all the time he thinks you are being disrespectful.

[Kikosexy2]

11. Well...

he was "selected" and not elected in 2000 and dubiously elected in 2004...so there's no need to refer to him as "president"...besides he has shown he's an incompetent "leader", "commander" or even "dictator"...so Mr. will have to do....never earned the title of "president"...

[The Stranger]

12. I never understood why Kerry repeated over and over "The President," instead of

calling him George Bush. Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why Why?

[Left Is Write]

16. Maybe he couldn't stand saying the name.

[CanonRay]

13. I do mean disrespect when I call him "asshole"

[rock]

14. I disagree with Katie

Calling anybody Mr bush is an insult!

[selfdestructive]

15. the guy's a scumbag

gotta call it like ya see it

[frylock]

17. address him as president shithead..

that's how I always refer to him.