I wish Kerry would quit referring to "President Bush" in his speeches.

[TexasSissy]

Bush is careful not to ever mention Kerry or Edwards by name. But I've heard Kerry a number of times refer to "President Bush," which I think only plugs Bush and gives him a certain respect. It's a small thing, I know. But still, isn't there some other way to refer to * without saying, "President Bush" this, and "President Bush" that?

[Lancer]

1. Kerry's taking the high road

IMHO.

*'s never saying "Sen. Kerry" is insulting, and I think Kerry's use of 'Pres. Bush" shows respect for the office rather than the current occupant. Your mileage may vary.

[tritsofme]

7. He's trying to do what Reagan did,

I don't think he mentioned Mondale's name until the debates, and the media made a big play of it.

[Syrinx]

2. I agree with you

"George Bush" would be fine.

[sandnsea]

3. Remind people Bush IS the President

Everybody has lowered their expectations of Bush to such a point that all he has to do is finish a sentence and it's an accomplishment. By constantly calling Bush, President Bush, Kerry is trying to get it back into people's minds what they're supposed to expect from a President.

[kabalevski]

4. he should just call him...

LITTLE MAN....

or Pecker BOY...

..

[JI7]

6. yes WHO is RESPONSIBLE ?

the buck stops where ?

those are the questions. too many times bush passes off blame for anything that goes wrong on others. this lets him off the hook.but the point is that even if it was their fault, Bush should still be responsible.

it's like when some american soldier raped a girl in one of our bases in a foreign country and Clinton apologized to the girl and that country for what happened. not because he is personally at fault for what that soldier did but because that soldier was under Clinton's command since he was President.

of course in Bush's case many of the things that have gone wrong are a direct fault of Bush.

and of course one of Kerry's biggest points is that HE WILL BE PRESIDENT not just in title but in the work such as decisions made.

[LibDemAlways]

5. Personally

I think he should call him "my opponent." The election-stealing dumbass didn't earn the title and doesn't deserve the respect that normally goes with it.

[poliguru]

8. Reminds me of West Wing

An old episode - the one right after the assassination attempt by the skinhead boys - has flashbacks of when Bartlett began his campaign. His campaign workers kept telling him not to use Hoynes' name because it gave him publicity. Bartlett pointed out that Hoynes was leading with 48% in the polls. "If I refer to him as 'my opponent,' you don't think it'll make me look as if I don't remember his name?...I do...I think it'll make me look addled. I think it'll make me look absentminded..."

The fictional president has a point. Besides, calling him President Bush just reminds everyone whose presiding over all the crap that's happening.