NEW PRESIDENT?

Recently Sampson Nanton reminded us that the Prime Minister indicated that George Maxwell Richards was the Cabinet's choice for President of Trinidad and Tobago.
That soundbite came from the retreat at Salybia last November.
Yet TV6's story gave no indication that there was even a nominee in mind. Their story focused on the Information Minister's statement and the fact that "The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago may soon have a new president...".
Why not say as Sampson did that "The country may soon have a new president..."?
We thought you were speaking about a different country.