# The President of the United States and the Honorable Bill Clinton **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 27, 2007, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-president-of-the-united-states-and-the-honorable-bill-clinton/424204 "2007-10-27T05:49:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2007, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-president-of-the-united-states-and-the-honorable-bill-clinton/424204/1 "2007-10-27T05:49:09Z")
Traditionally, I think, when the President and First Lady have been introduced arriving at a function and whatnot, the protocol has been to announce them as “The President of the United States and Mrs. Bush”, for example. Since a US President retains his title for life, if Hillary Clinton wins the election, will she and her husband be announced as “The President of the United States and President Clinton”? ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Slant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c57346/32.png) [@Mr.Slant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Slant)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2007, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-president-of-the-united-states-and-the-honorable-bill-clinton/424204/2 "2007-10-27T05:52:16Z")
Hmmm. Could it be “Mr. and Mrs. President Bill Clinton” ? ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ccd318/32.png) [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2007, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-president-of-the-united-states-and-the-honorable-bill-clinton/424204/3 "2007-10-27T05:52:41Z")
Maybe. It is a meaninglessly small detail. Big Bill has said he likes the title “First Laddie.” ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2007, 6:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-president-of-the-united-states-and-the-honorable-bill-clinton/424204/4 "2007-10-27T06:06:27Z")
My understanding is that it’s not correct to use the title president when addressing a former one, because the title uniquely belongs to one person. Instead, you’re supposed to use the last, highest, non-unique title, so that you’d refer to Bill Clinton as Gov Clinton, or perhaps Mr Clinton. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2007, 6:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-president-of-the-united-states-and-the-honorable-bill-clinton/424204/5 "2007-10-27T06:07:41Z")
It is not incorrect to use the honorific “Mr.” for a former US President (or for any other adult male American, for that matter, since we have no system of hereditary titles that supersede “Mr.” for certain individuals). So there would be nothing wrong with introducing the couple in this hypothetical situation as “The President of the United States and Mr. Clinton”. ---
**Author:** ![TheLoadedDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/35a633/32.png) [@TheLoadedDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheLoadedDog)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2007, 7:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-president-of-the-united-states-and-the-honorable-bill-clinton/424204/6 "2007-10-27T07:23:26Z")
So what happens to their Secret Service detail when they’re together? Do half of 'em get the night off, or are their more goons than guests at the party? What if they had a violent domestic argument, and one attacked the other? What would the SS do? Probably silly, but I’m curious. ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2007, 7:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-president-of-the-united-states-and-the-honorable-bill-clinton/424204/7 "2007-10-27T07:40:15Z")
[QUOTE=Paul in Saudi] Maybe. It is a meaninglessly small detail. [/QUOTE] > **[Technical Difficulties](https://www.state.gov/s/cpr/)** ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2007, 8:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-president-of-the-united-states-and-the-honorable-bill-clinton/424204/8 "2007-10-27T08:08:24Z")
Actually, I’ll call that office myself on Monday and ask my question, which is what I should have done to start with. Feel free to close thread. ---
**Author:** ![ForumBot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ee59a6/32.png) [@ForumBot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ForumBot)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2007, 9:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-president-of-the-united-states-and-the-honorable-bill-clinton/424204/9 "2007-10-27T09:22:34Z")
Mr. and Mrs. President Clinton? ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2007, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-president-of-the-united-states-and-the-honorable-bill-clinton/424204/10 "2007-10-27T13:20:07Z")
[QUOTE=TheLoadedDog] What if they had a violent domestic argument, and one attacked the other? What would the SS do? Probably silly, but I’m curious. [/QUOTE] When it comes to the Clintons, no question of propriety is too silly. This has already come up. The Secret Service will resist the subpoena. [Cite.](http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D06E6DD1730F935A25754C0A96E958260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=print) Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2007, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-president-of-the-united-states-and-the-honorable-bill-clinton/424204/11 "2007-10-27T13:47:55Z")
I’m with **Kimstu** on this. “Mr.” is never incorrect for an adult American man. No public office grants a person a permanent title in the manner of European titles. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2007, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-president-of-the-united-states-and-the-honorable-bill-clinton/424204/12 "2007-10-27T14:00:09Z")
The Presidents Clinton ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2007, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-president-of-the-united-states-and-the-honorable-bill-clinton/424204/13 "2007-10-27T15:19:12Z")
Technically, **Dewey Finn** is correct. Protocol states that only the current president is called President. The President most certainly does not retain the title for life. Trouble is, everybody in the modern world outside the protocol office (and possibly the style guides at the better newspapers) ignores this. Anybody who wants to get it right will say President and Mr. Clinton. Period. No alternative. Exactly the same as people say today President and Mrs. Bush. But that won’t stop people from giving a thousand variations or arguing about it. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2007, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-president-of-the-united-states-and-the-honorable-bill-clinton/424204/14 "2007-10-27T16:15:48Z")
How was Denis Thatcher introduced when Maggie was doing an official Prime Minister gig? ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2007, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-president-of-the-united-states-and-the-honorable-bill-clinton/424204/15 "2007-10-27T16:21:22Z")
[QUOTE=ElvisL1ves] How was Denis Thatcher introduced when Maggie was doing an official Prime Minister gig? [/QUOTE] Wasn’t it just Mr. then Sir Thatcher. England does not have the equivalent of First Lady. Why bother, they have a Queen and potentially Princesses. 😉 Jim ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2007, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-president-of-the-united-states-and-the-honorable-bill-clinton/424204/16 "2007-10-27T16:21:37Z")
[QUOTE=ElvisL1ves] How was Denis Thatcher introduced when Maggie was doing an official Prime Minister gig? [/QUOTE] Not as a former Prime Minister, so I don’t see how that’s relevant. ---
**Author:** ![Dunderman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecb155/32.png) [@Dunderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dunderman)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2007, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-president-of-the-united-states-and-the-honorable-bill-clinton/424204/17 "2007-10-27T16:26:01Z")
[QUOTE=Liberal] Actually, I’ll call that office myself on Monday and ask my question, which is what I should have done to start with. Feel free to close thread. [/QUOTE] I’d like to see the thread remain open, and you come back with the answer Monday. > [@Exapno Mapcase](#): > > Protocol states that only the current president is called President. The President most certainly does not retain the title for life. Trouble is, everybody in the modern world outside the protocol office (and possibly the style guides at the better newspapers) ignores this. Really? I’m not doubting you, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen a former President called “President” without “former” in front. Example? ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2007, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-president-of-the-united-states-and-the-honorable-bill-clinton/424204/18 "2007-10-27T17:18:42Z")
How about from the William J. Clinton Foundation? [http://www.clintonfoundation.org/092707-nr-cf-ee-cgi-pr-wjc-honors-four-extraordinary-individuals-at-inaugural-clinton-global-citizen-awards.htm](http://www.clintonfoundation.org/092707-nr-cf-ee-cgi-pr-wjc-honors-four-extraordinary-individuals-at-inaugural-clinton-global-citizen-awards.htm) > [@](#): > > \*\*President Clinton Honors Four Extraordinary Individuals at Inaugural Clinton Global Citizen Awards \*\* > > President Clinton presented the Inaugural Clinton Global Citizen Awards Thursday evening at Carnegie Hall, honoring four extraordinary individuals whose outstanding achievements have inspired change and made a positive impact on the world. > > “The amazing people we celebrate here today are proving without a doubt that one person can change the world,” President Clinton said. “I hope that by shining a spotlight on their achievements, others will be inspired to join their efforts or take further action to improve lives and build a stronger future.” Or [The New York Sun](http://www.nysun.com/related_results.php?term=Bill+Clinton) > [@](#): > > Clinton Calls Latino Leaders ‘Change Agents’ > New York Sun | October 26, 2007 > Excerpt: Speaking at a conference of Latino businessmen at the Waldorf-Astoria yesterday, President Clinton challenged the Latino business community in America to help combat inequality and climate change. “You are obviously change agents,” he told the crowd, … > > N.Y. Senator Wins in Court Against Campaign Donor > New York Sun | October 17, 2007 > Excerpt: PALO ALTO, Calif. — Senator Clinton has won a court battle with a disgruntled campaign donor who claimed that his business dealings were unfairly disrupted by President Clinton, the former first lady, and their associates. A California appeals court … Or some [blog-like object](http://www.realchange.org/clinton.htm). > [@](#): > > In a shocking blunder, the White House successfully put pressure on Hotwired Magazine to stop linking President Clinton’s name to this very web page. This was all done behind the scenes – we had no idea until we read Brock Meek’s Netizen column of April 30th. Or you could do what I did and Google “president clinton” and see what comes up. ---
**Author:** ![Critical\_Mass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f1d935/32.png) [@Critical\_Mass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Critical_Mass)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2007, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-president-of-the-united-states-and-the-honorable-bill-clinton/424204/19 "2007-10-28T01:57:44Z")
I have regularly heard former US presidents referred to as President so and so. I’m surprised to hear that they do not retain some sort of formal title. Former Canadian Prime Ministers are entitled to the Right Honourable honorific for life. [http://www.pch.gc.ca/progs/cpsc-ccsp/pe/titre\_e.cfm](http://www.pch.gc.ca/progs/cpsc-ccsp/pe/titre_e.cfm) ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2007, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-president-of-the-united-states-and-the-honorable-bill-clinton/424204/20 "2007-10-28T02:03:50Z")
“The President of the United States and her stud.” [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-president-of-the-united-states-and-the-honorable-bill-clinton/424204.md?page=2)