AP Issues Style Ruling On Presidential Nomenclature

Via Poynter, we learn of an update, issued by the arcane keepers of the AP Style Manual:

Effective Thursday at 3 a.m. EST, the AP will use the title and first and family names on first reference: President George W. Bush, not just President Bush; President-elect Barack Obama, not just President-elect Obama; President Nicolas Sarkozy, not just President Sarkozy.

Honestly, I didn't know that this wasn't the practice anyway, but it's nice to know that after 3 a.m. on Thursday, President-elect Barack Obama need never again worry about being confused with all the other Presidents Obama. Right-wing blogs are, of course, still free to refer to President Obama as "Barak Hussein Babykiller Ayersboner Obamanation." Their counterparts on the left will likely continue to use "President Barack Obama," but it shall be understood that there is an implied orgasmic sigh underpinning each iteration.