Partly this is just grammatical rigor--the use of President is appropriate when using it as a title, while president is appropriate (although not always used) when referring to the position. Thus, President Obama was a congressman before being elected president, and gaining the title of President of the United States. He would have been referred to as Congressman Obama when he was a congressman, or Mr. Obama. He should never be referred to as Mrs. Obama.

I think the habit of calling people by their last name only is appropriate for drill sergeants, not journalists. Just MHO.


A