AP's style will be President Barack Obama (not President Obama)?

http://www.ap.org/pages/about/whatsnew/wn_111208a.html

Umm, why????

 

Maybe people will get him confused with the other President Obama.

 

This one is Barack Quincy Obama

 

Why not Barack HUSSEIN Obama???

Libruhl bias!!!

 

Nice....

 

Cuz the other way sounded too much like calling the head of state "Coach."

 

Genuflect when you say coach, Mister...

 

Ummm, I think they just said on first reference people. trying to figure out why putting someone's full name on first reference is a problem.

 

Dangerously agrees.

 

He would.

 

I'm just a little confused.
Of the last three presidents, two have had the same first and last name, and now the AP decides to change the style?
It doesn't make any sense.
It has always been an honorary thing in my mind. Plus, if your readers don't know the first name of the president, all hope is lost.
On the other hand, it is only the kind of thing people who edit copy for a living get worked up over. Well that, and people who will see a conspiracy behind it.

 

I never understood why AP style insisted on President Lastname as first reference all these years anyway. His first name wasn't President.