I've heard that the only way to characterize a president is by the number of president they are. For instance, I wouldn't say former president Bill Clinton, but the 42nd president Bill CLinton
2007-12-13 09:48:01 · 5 answers · asked by Chris T 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Government
I don't believe that's the convention,
To this day were you to write a letter to any public official the honorific is to address them by the title of the highest position they held, so Senator Dole or Senator Mc Carthy or President Carter, or President Eisenhower would be how you might address them in a letter.
However, if you are referring to them in third person or as a reference, you may want to use former President Carter or Clinton or Bush or whatever,
In the case of Madison, Bush and / or future president Clinton, it would be conventional and necessary to differentiate between the particular president by virtue of their order.
This is in fact how the White House refers to it when President Bush (41) and President Bush (43) discuss an issue and come to a collective/agreed opinion.
They do this with such frequency (on some matters) that when proposing a decision is refered to as "asking 84" if this is a good idea, implicitly that both men will be consulted on a particular point of policy (41 + 43 = 84).
They even make jokes about it in reference to George Orwell, - how f*cked up is that!
2007-12-13 11:09:16 · answer #1 · answered by Mark T 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Former presidents are past presidents like Bill Clinton, Jimmy Carter and George Bush Sr. but they are referred to as presidents during formal occassions.
2007-12-13 20:07:52 · answer #2 · answered by FRAGINAL, JTM 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When you use "President" as a title, it remains President Clinton, President Carter, etc. The title is for life.
When you are using it as a descriptor or identifier without immediately using the name, adding former is all right. The former president lost his bid for re-election.
There are a few other titles which are for life as well. A lot of this is part of various newspapers' style sheets.
2007-12-13 18:00:10 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, I've never heard that. All my history teachers say former president _______.
2007-12-13 17:55:50 · answer #4 · answered by Ms. Honest 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Huh? Where did you hear that?
2007-12-13 17:52:25 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋