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Original poster

to wonder why Obama isn't running for president

342 replies

TheoriginalLEM · 22/03/2016 21:06

just that really.

he seems like the best man for the job

OP posts:
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7
Thisisbonkers · 22/03/2016 23:12

Blue dress? I thought it was white and gold

LionsLedge · 22/03/2016 23:12

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SylviaWrath · 22/03/2016 23:11

Many certainly would say that, but they're wrong. The former Presidents all know it's incorrect but, strangely, rarely correct the mistake

Well, there is no law stating what they have to be called, only protocol. Which changes over time. For many years now ex presidents have been called President after they leave office. You could easily argue that the protocol has changed by common usage. All the living ex-presidents refer to each other as such.

Lynnm63 · 22/03/2016 23:11

Didn't George Bush senior famously not like broccoli and as POTUS refused to eat it and then broccoli growers sent him shed loads of it.

katemiddletonsothermum · 22/03/2016 23:09

... and this one knocked himself out choking on a pretzel....

katemiddletonsothermum · 22/03/2016 23:09

Here's a better way of telling the Bush boys apart. This one was sick all over a Japanese banquet....

to wonder why Obama isn't running for president
SenecaFalls · 22/03/2016 23:08

In the US, the Bushes are usually referred to as Bush 41 and Bush 43 (41st and 43rd president).

American children living on the east coast do have to learn at least some British monarchs, in the several states named for them. I'm from the one named for George II.

Lynnm63 · 22/03/2016 23:08

Sorry lorelei9 my auto correct doesn't like your name it keeps changing it.

lorelei9 · 22/03/2016 23:07

We cross posted , yes ,I remembered.

Northernlurker · 22/03/2016 23:07

Poor Garfield, took him ages to die :(

Lynnm63 · 22/03/2016 23:05

Lore lei the blue dress was the one with Bills 'deposit' on it from his 'meeting' with Ms Lewinsky that almost saw him impeached. I did not have sexual relations with that woman, lol.

lorelei9 · 22/03/2016 23:05

Oh that blue dress! Sorry, I don't much care for those stories...I enjoyed "it depends what your definition of "is" is" though.

quencher · 22/03/2016 23:05

Yes, and there is a third bush, jet bush

RudeElf · 22/03/2016 23:04

Do you think Bill will wear the infamous blue dress if he becomes First Lady

I really hope so. Obama would.

SenecaFalls · 22/03/2016 23:03

Eisenhower asked for General to be used instead of President.

Sprink · 22/03/2016 23:02

When addressing one, though, you would say President Carter, not Mr. President.

Many certainly would say that, but they're wrong. The former Presidents all know it's incorrect but, strangely, rarely correct the mistake. Grin

Lynnm63 · 22/03/2016 23:02

There's a few family ones in the UK John and Ben Gummer, the Churchill crowd winston his son Randolph then Nicholas Soames, Tony and Hillary Benn, there's more but I can't remember them and a few married couples.

SenecaFalls · 22/03/2016 23:01

Obama is fairly popular now. Actually, he has become more popular as he increasingly follows his best instincts, liberated by the need to be re-elected. The rapprochement with Cuba is a good example.

nancy75 · 22/03/2016 23:01

Bill has to be careful with dresses, there was one that almost caused his downfall

LionsLedge · 22/03/2016 23:01

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Sprink · 22/03/2016 23:00

Don't they still get called Mr President even after they left office? Weren't there four ex presidents at Reagans funeral?

They are still referred to in the media as (eg) President Clinton or Former President Clinton, but thisnisnnot correct. It's an identifier, for clarity, but they are not addressed that way.

Also, I mis-spoke earlier in saying they get to be addressed by their former post when they leave the office of President. This is true if the former post has/had many others in that position (Eisenhower reverted to General, Obama will revert to Senator) but it's not done if the former post has a single person filling the role. So Bill Clinton is not Givernor Clinton either, he's simply Mr Clinton and addressed (in writing) or introduced (in person) as the Honourable Bill Clinton.

I realise this is tedious for many of you. Apologies, it's right up my street. Wink

lorelei9 · 22/03/2016 23:00

Seneca "I clicked on a listicle a few weeks ago "

Sorry to hear that. How are you now?

lorelei9 · 22/03/2016 22:58

Owl, no, Pitt the younger was Brad's dad.

Lynn, what blue dress? I'm sure bill can carry off a blue dress but not in the bold style michelle favours, he needs something more subtle.

SenecaFalls · 22/03/2016 22:56

No. I'll reiterate. You really don't get to keep the title. The title stays with the office.

Former presidents are referred to as "President" by courtesy. It's a courtesy title. When addressing one, though, you would say President Carter, not Mr. President.

Owllady · 22/03/2016 22:55

Was Pitt the elder, brad Pitts dad?