I use Prime Minister Trudeau as Pierre Elliott Trudeau's formal title in the context of politics. I do not do the same for Stephen 'the hair' Harper. Harper is just Harper, nothing more. It has to do with the esteem in which I hold the people. However, in written communication I do use formal titles.

I think of Obama as President Obama. I think of Bush as Dubya. For example, I once wrote to Bush. I addressed him as President Bush--I held my breath when I did that, but I didn't want the people who direct the mail to confuse the intended addressee with a plant outside the White House.

I'm Canadian.