I don't disagree with K-Lo, but I would prefer that we require the verbal amount to be the total amount of the RAISE.
A couple of reasons why I feel this is preferable:
1. If player says "Raise 1,200" that is a definitive statement and the stated amount is a clarification of the word "Raise". In the example, that K-Lo provided, I would then hold the player to a total of 1,800.
2. Since we allow a player who says "Raise", to put the chips for the call in the first motion and then go back to his stack with a single second motion to put the chips for the raise, I think it makes it much easier for the dealer and everyone else to be able to identify the amount of chips pushed forward. Again using K-Lo's example, the first motion would have to be 600 (the call amount) and the second motion would have to be 1,200 (the raise amount).
That said, I can support K-Lo's position as being better than what we have now.
Chet