I'll pull back the curtain on the newsroom this a.m. -- to show some of our thinking re: the names of public oafish-als. Recently, Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire's staff circulated a news release that said Her Christineness preferred to be called "Chris." That, of course, sent the newroom Powers That Be scrambling for the AP stylebook. This morning, Managing Editor Gary Graham circulated this note: "AP has decided to adhere to its stylebook, which says it honors the requests of news sources when it comes to preferred first names. We, too, will abide by AP style." No problemo here, except (there's usually an "except" with HBO) ... I wonder why the switch on the guv'nah's part? "Christine," I believe, sounds more regal than "Chris." Opinion Page Boss Doug Floyd, however, sez it adds a tougher edge to this state's Queen Cee. What do you think?

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