Because those abbreviations aren't used by the US Sec. Svc. They're primarily used by the media, who will use whatever is convenient for their use and understandable to their audience. The Secret Service uses code-names for protectees and those proximal to their protectees. These are assigned by the White House Communications Agency, usually with the input of the President, candidate or other VIP protectee.

The Current First Family are:
Barack Obama – Renegade
Michelle Obama – Renaissance
Malia Obama – Radiance
Sasha Obama – Rosebud

The Bidens are:
Joe Biden – Celtic
Jill Biden – Capri

Bill and Hillary will remain the same codenames they have been all along to the Secret Service, going back to the 1992 Presidential election.

Hillary Rodham Clinton – Evergreen
Bill Clinton – Eagle

There is a through list of these codenames for Presidents, Vice Presidents, candidates and other VIPs on the following Wikipedia page. These names are generally not reused, with some exceptions...every Pope is "Halo", as an example.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secret_Service_codename

think that would be extremely confusing - say the wrong name, mistake what you hear, etc.

It always struck me as silly...but that's what they do.

What parent hasn't yelled at a kid with a sibling's name?

No, HQ, the OTHER Eagle!

... because his SS name when he was running for Democratic nominee was "Pontiac."

-- Mal

Pontiac Firebird is my favorite car.

Specifically, a 1968 Pontiac Firebird like the first car I ever had but I wrecked it driving drunk at 17. Lucky to have just learned a lesson there without hurting anybody else.

But still, I love those cars. Will have another some day.

But is there something about Pontiac of which I am not aware? I've always liked Jesse and I wouldn't wanna continue being dense about something offensive.

Believe it or not. I will not post it here, you may look at this web page: http://www.rsdb.org/slur/pontiac

I don't know if it is still considered a slur now. People were so inventive then.

-- Mal

and I grew up in Texas. I've heard a bunch.


the worst part is I can easily believe the Secret Service meant it that way.

When they are formally introduced, will someone say, "President and President Clinton"?

Or-- "President and former-President Clinton"? "The Presidents Clinton"?

I dunno. It might make entertainment news for the first few weeks of the new admin. and then everyone will just get bored with the subject.

I was thinking of when they are announced entering an event. Doesn't matter really! It is just something novel.

... who happened to be a lady. I asked the bureaucrat at my table (okay, it wasn't a tete-a-tete, I was with a group) why she wasn't called the Lady Provost. He explained that Lady Provost was the title of the Lord's spouse. So I further asked if they then called the Lord Provost's husband "Lady Provost," and he replied "No, we just call him George."

Anyway, the USSS will probably just call Bill "Big Dog," as it is a particularly apt moniker.

-- Mal