This was the original intention, i.e. 'format' preferred over '%' but even the core developers have backtracked on this issue. If I could remember the thread it was on I'd give you a reference, but I haven't the faintest idea as to which mailing list it was on. I'm certain that other subscribers will remember and point us all in the correct direction.
http://comments.gmane.org/gmane.comp.python.devel/121299 http://comments.gmane.org/gmane.comp.python.devel/129939 -- http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-list
