Bob Dole, Sarah Palin, Bill Clinton, Newt Gingrich, Colin Powell....

Yes, it is election time.  But we aren't talking politics in this entry.  Republican, Democrat, Independent, Tea Party... whatever your political stripes, you should know of whom you speak. 

In a town like DC, one often sees people who used to hold positions of power.  It is wise to never count someone out.  So what do you do when you run into one of these DC celebrities?  How do you refer to them now that they are no longer in office or otherwise hold the position for which they are known. 

The answer is, it depends on what type of position they once held.  If they used to hold a position where there is more than one office holder at a time -- judges, ambassadors, senators, bishops, etc,  -- they use their "title" for as long as they live, in ever circumstance.  Hence, former Senator Bob Dole is still "Senator Dole". 

If, however, they used to hold a position of which there can only be one actual office holder at a time  -- The Governor, The President of the United States, The Speaker of the House, etc. -- they are referred to by the title they held previous to that one-at-a-time position.  Hence, Alaska Governor Palin, is referred to as, "Sarah Palin, former Governor of Alaska" or "Ms. Palin"; Former President Bill Clinton is now "Mr. Clinton"; Speaker Newt Gingrich is now "Mr. Gingrich"; and, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Colin Powell is now "General Powell".

Want to be marvelously well-mannered when you are hobnobbing with these people?  Robert Hickey, Deputy Director of the Protocol School of Washington, has a thoroughly researched book  entitled, Honor & Respect, to help guide you through all the forms of address and title imaginable - it is a great resource.  It belongs on every books shelf in DC!