New AP style on U.S. presidents

Add comment November 15th, 2008

Regular readers of Associated Press stories may have noticed this. The wire service has altered its style on first reference to U.S. presidents. It will now include the first name, so it’s President George W. Bush, not just President Bush. This change took effect Thursday morning.

The official reason was consistency with its style for other world leaders.

This change makes sense for other reasons, too

After eight years of having to distinguish between W. and his dad, it’s somewhat second nature. And it’s not just the Bushes: We’ve also had two presidents named Adams, two named Harrison, two Johnsons and two Roosevelts, as well as two separate terms of a Cleveland with one of the Harrisons in between.

Another possible factor: With Americans’ knowledge of history rapidly deteriorating, maybe the AP hopes to fill in some gaps.

It can’t hurt to try.