1st Amendment and Free Speech/Ex-presidents' official title

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Expert: - 6/11/2009


Question
Sorry, a bit of a simple question but could you advise me on what the official title of an ex-president of the USA is?

Thanks

Answer
Hello,

It is tradition to address any former elected official by the highest office he ever held.  So, if one met a former President, it would be proper to address him as "Mr. President", just as one would the current President.  When referring to such a person in the third person, the most common reference is to call that person "former President" followed by the last name.  For example, "Former President Clinton accompanied his wife to Europe."

All of this, of course is simply etiquette.  There are no formal legal titles of nobility under the law as the UK has.  In fact, such formal titles are banned by the US Constitution.

I hope this helps!
- Mike  

1st Amendment and Free Speech

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Michael Troy

Expertise

I will answer general questions regarding freedom of speech, petition, or religion. I specialize in cases involving public employment or education, as well as issues related to campaign finance. But I can`t give specific legal advice involving specific cases you might have.

Experience

As an attorney for the Center for Individual Rights, I worked on a number of free speech cases, including Rosenberger v. Univ. of Virginia, in which the Supreme Court upheld my clients' right to run a student newspaper without discrimination because of its religious conent. I also worked on White v. Julian, which protected the right of people to protest against a homeless shelter in their neighborhood.

I also worked for the Federal Election Commission on several cases regarding the right to participate in the election process.

Organizations
Former Attorney for Center for Individual Rights.

Publications
Washington Post
Washington Times

Education/Credentials
J.D. from Univ. of Michigan Law School

Awards and Honors
Truman Scholar

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