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Obama to Reporter: Sorry I Called You "Sweetie"

May 15, 2008 11:16 AM

FROM GUEST-BLOGGER RICK KLEIN, OF ABC'S THE NOTE

Really? He calls people "sweetie"? And this is a "habit"?

A little flare-up out of Sen. Barack Obama's Michigan visit: A (female) reporter for ABC's Detroit affiliate, WXYZ-TV, shouted a question in Obama's direction yesterday, inquiring about Obama's plans to help American autoworkers. Obama didn't feel like answering at the time -- not unusual, since Obama likes to answer questions at structured "avails," or media availabilities, if fielding questions at all, while on the trail.

Obama's response: "Hold on one second, sweetie, we're going to do -- we'll do a press avail."

First, the easy stuff: Obama never did do that "avail," and never did answer reporter Peggy Agar's question, which (if it matters) was substantive and relevant to Obama's visit that day.

Then, the harder stuff: Obama actually called a reporter "sweetie."

I don't know about you, but I don't believe I've ever used that term. My mother calls me "sweetie" from time to time. She's my mom. It's not a slur, but in a professional setting? I'm fairly certain that Obama would flunk basic corporate training if he used a term like that to refer to a female colleague.

Obama (or one of his aides) realized the mistake, and the candidate himself called Agar and left a voicemail that started by apologizing for not answering her question.

"I broke my word, I apologize for that, and I will make up for it," Obama said.

Then the meat: "Second apology is for using the word 'sweetie.' That's a bad habit of mine. I do it sometimes with all kinds of people. I mean no disrespect and so I am duly chastened on that front. Feel free to call me back. I expect that my press team will be happy to try to make it up to you whenever we are in Detroit next."

This would seem like the kind of "bad habit" Obama may want to break at some point, like smoking.

The New York Times' Jim Rutenberg points out that Obama has used the word "sweetie" at least once before on the trail, referring to a female factory worker in Allentown, Pa., last month.

While we're breaking the bad habits, how about media access? Sen. John McCain just gave a speech where he promised to give weekly press conferences as president -- and he gives just-about daily (and sometimes far more than that) casual and formal access to the press as a candidate. Anyone think the different styles WON'T catch up with Obama at some point in the general election? Even after this, the most he can say is that he expects his press team to "try to make it up to you" next time he's in town?

Listen to the voicemail, and see the exchange with the reporter, HERE (click on the video player to the right).

Don't miss Agar's response, toward the end of her TV spot: "This 'sweetie' never did get an answer to that question."

-- Rick Klein

May 15, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (374)

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User Comments

I would rather be called sweetie than you guys, which is a masculine reference that many people seem to think is unisex in our "modern" age. at least sweetie is a feminine reference.

Posted by: Sara | May 16, 2008 6:43:32 PM

I hate being called sweetie or honey or any other stupid name from morons!

I am not your sweetie, I am not your honey.

Someone send Obama back to his hole!

Posted by: Jules | May 16, 2008 4:34:29 PM

That's what happens when you have a person running for Prez who is half black and half white, he's bound to say or do something that the other side is not going to enjoy hearing or see him doing.

Posted by: sweetiePie | May 16, 2008 3:42:12 PM

MEN/WOMEN GETTING OFFENDED BY GETTING CALLED SWEETIE NEED TO GROW UP.

Posted by: GENNIE | May 16, 2008 3:09:13 PM

Obama can call me "Sweetie" any time he likes. (Hope rings eternal...)

Posted by: Feminist Granny & Reitired Reporter | May 16, 2008 2:06:20 PM

"Hold on a second, sweetie. We'll hold a press avail,"
"Sweetie, if I start with a picture I will never get out of here."
"Sweetie if I start doing autographs I just won't be & I am really late."

Spontaneous, habitual, or not, this is sexist by what we have all been taught. Why should Obama get a pass? I think not. Pay the piper Barack.

Posted by: scottwww | May 16, 2008 2:02:47 PM

I work for the NYPD and personally I call people sweety and darling all the time. I've lived in the community that I now work in for 29 years and everyone there knows me and my rep. That is just how I greet the people to whom I know. This saying is not disrespectful at all. As you can clearly see that this is how he talks all the time. STOP STRESSING PEOPLE!!! THINK ABOUT THE HIGH GAS PRICES!!!!!

Posted by: Debby | May 16, 2008 1:03:48 PM

Oh My God!! what bull is this? why cant the media focus on the issues but start up something that is innocent and simple? Apparently, media like CNN, FOX, ABC who claim that they are not bias,and dont take sides, etc actually stir up issues that are both irrelevant and unimportant to me and the millions of people whose lives are been impacted by the current political and economic nightmare. Please American media focus on issues that is of concern to the well-being of our citizens...not comments that are made or gestures that makes no sense or important to the current political or economic environment we are facing right now. If thats all you have to report about Obama referring to someone as "sweetie" apparently, the focus is totally not to shed light on the innocence of such remarks but a way looking for faults about Obama..This media has tried to associate him with comments made by some pastor 7 years ago,7 years ago.Do you how many people who made remarks like these over the years?, and suddenly he is not patriotic enough to be the president. How do you judge who is more patriotic? By having the US flag in front of your house, and wearing a pin on your chest? Does that make you more patriotic than anyone else? He is an American. An American. Deal with that. He is qualified to be the President of this nation according the constituition..Deal with it.He will be the next President..

Posted by: chris george | May 16, 2008 1:01:56 PM

Obama did use the word in a way that implied some loose moral or close, weird connection with the reporter but something like a slip of the tongue. People opposed to him may use this to create a useless, baseless scandal that never is. especially with the way Clinton campaign is dwindling this may be a "good" riddance for her campaign and supporters.
Great leaders are those who dont deny who they are and their mistakes. Obama should be understood.

Posted by: Ken Kirui | May 16, 2008 1:01:35 PM

If “sweety” bothers you, you should never come to North Carolina. By the standards of this article, I’m owed an apology by 15 percent of all waitresses that have ever waited on me here.

Posted by: Some Guy | May 16, 2008 12:45:53 PM

Quote: 'This begs a question....Why hasn't the mainstream press bothered to investigate Obama's roots in Chicago politics and some of the very angry exchanges he's had with the press there?"

This begs a question. Why hasn't the "mainstream press" published the fact that the Clintons are on trial for fraud in Los Angeles Superior Court?
That's case number BC304174.

Posted by: willy | May 16, 2008 12:45:19 PM

Its a shame that people who do not want any good for America will take a mere sweetie call for a reason to blackmail the innocent man. IM sure most of the writers are clinton supporters bcoz this is now becoming a politically motivated topic. The lady in question was not offended by the name so why the fire????? we are in a civilize world for God sake. i personaaly call pple sweetie,honey and i get the same name frm pple too and i think its a way of life and a pleasant way of addresssing or showing love to all.
Plz lets not use this against Obama nor make this a politically motivated topic to bring the young man's image to black.

Posted by: Nathaniel Asan | May 16, 2008 12:41:31 PM

Quote: "Let someone, male or female, call you men "Sweetie" and see how you like it.

Posted by: doobrah |

Get over it, I am called "sweetie" every time I go into a restaurant by someone I never saw before in my life.

Worry about Senator Clinton losing more super delegates as we speak. Hmmm?

Posted by: willy | May 16, 2008 12:39:43 PM

This is ridiculous! I have no use for Obama but anyone who thinks this is offensive needs to get a life!

Posted by: warrenmass | May 16, 2008 12:39:20 PM

Oh puh-leeeeeeze.

Posted by: Sharon | May 16, 2008 12:38:06 PM

Its just too early to make a case from "sweeteeeeeee"but i hope its not gonna be "monicarised"...

Posted by: BENJAMIN ODENIGBO | May 16, 2008 12:33:53 PM

Get some business and stop talking about bull.... that don't amount to hill of beans. PEACE

Posted by: Eve | May 16, 2008 12:22:15 PM

This is nuts. I agree with the many of you who are so disappointed to see that there's nothing better to do than talk about Obama for calling a female reporter "sweetie." GET OVER IT! GET A LIFE! I can't believe how the media takes the smallest things like calling someone "sweetie" and then all of these IDIOTS get in an uproar over it. Everytime that I've been called sweetie it's been in an endearing manner. Some people are extra nice and they use the word all the time, I have friends like that. GIVE HIM A BREAK!! SHEEESSSSHHH!!

Posted by: Crystal | May 16, 2008 12:18:12 PM

He was wrong..he apologized....I don't agree with using the term in a professional setting..he was wrong. and he apologized. Let it go. I mean it's not like he killed 4,000 american with lies...still waiting for an apology Mr. Bush..well you did stop golfing..

Posted by: Anthony Bullock | May 16, 2008 12:14:12 PM

I am not an Obama supporter but this is not news and really irrelevant.

What should be reported more is some of the interviews NBC conducts with Obama. They mostly ask him how his family is, what he eats, how many ties does he have for the road. I guess they want access if/when he becomes president.

Where is Helen Thomas when you need her? Get rid of this toadies like Brion Williams, all of the Today show, Chris Matthews, Keith Olberman. Go Helen.

Posted by: sf94127h | May 16, 2008 12:05:22 PM

I first heard the term "sweetie" and "dear" when I took up residence in the South. Nobody with half a brain...this excludes most of the republican party, will understand that it's a term of familarity and gentile speech that is not common in the rest of the U.S. When in NY don't get offended if someone calls out "hey buddy" or CA when someone says "hey dude." It's neither sexist nor femenist to say such things, just that some people can't live without making mountains out of mole hills.

Posted by: Ahsay | May 16, 2008 11:30:44 AM

Do you want whine with those crackers? People stop whining about nothing and stay focused on the issues. Anyone here who thinks this deserves attention is smiple minded. "Obama, you can call me Sweetie anytime."

Posted by: weare1 | May 16, 2008 11:03:51 AM

Actually I'm not greatly offended by Obama's use of the term....I think it was his waving the female off that he rightly apologised for.


This begs a question....Why hasn't the mainstream press bothered to investigate Obama's roots in Chicago politics and some of the very angry exchanges he's had with the press there?

It's a little late some of us will never vote for this man. But since much of the MSM seems like they want to review their history with John McCain when are you going to look at how Obama was handed legislation to push through the state Senate. Are ya'll going to bother giving us his real record in IL?

Posted by: Jackie | May 16, 2008 11:01:36 AM

The use of the term sweetie is a demeaning term to use with a professional or a non-ralative/friend. Period. Would Obama have called Tim R. sweetie? No, it wouldn't be professional. Remember the uproar over Biden's compliment that Obama was "articulate". What was intended as a compliment was considered racist because of the "connotation" the word carried. The same is true about remarks made to women. There is a history and a connotation that I'd think a candidate for president would be more aware of, particularly one who claims to be a uniter. The uproar about this particular situation is that it's more of the same from this campaign. Far from being a uniter obama has caused divisions in this country not seen in decades. If another example is needed...remember obama using his middle finger to "scrath his face" as he made comments about Sen. Clinton? He did this not once but on two separate occasions. For both his supporters and Sen. Clinton's supporters the message was clear. For the latter, the gesture will be remembered.

Posted by: gma | May 16, 2008 10:25:28 AM

GET OVER IT PEOPLE! It's really not that serious! We live in a society that is overly sensitive. So what the man called her sweetie! If you listen to the reports you will find that the reporter was NOT OFFENDED. So if she's not offended why are you all getting so worked up? Just another case trying to be built against Senator Obama. Get a life folks! focus on what the REAL issues in our society are right now. Recession, rising gas prices, thosands of people who have been killed in cyclones, earthquakes overseas, the war in IRAQ, millions of people that need jobs, healthcare,etc. COME ON NOW! GROW UP!

Posted by: Sweetie | May 16, 2008 10:22:43 AM

Sylvia Johnsen: What makes you believe Obama is not a liar? He lied when he said he did not hear his pastor say those words. Ferraro is right in everything she said and was applauded by many people. Its people like you that are the ruination of this country that would vote for a candidate who is racial himself, does not like white people and attended a racist church for 20 years. Now, if you are educated at all you should know that he has to be racist along with his run of the mouth Michelle. They are both anti-american's why do you think he wants to talk to the terrorists and why do you think Hamas likes him. Because he is not 100% white, he is half minority. Bin Laden and Al Qaeda will be dancing in the streets and planning their next attack because they know he is an idiot when it comes to foreign policy. Wake up. Do you want this country to go into a disaster?

Posted by: Mariann Pepitone | May 16, 2008 10:14:54 AM

As a women and a Republican, I say give me a break. There are many worse things to have been called.

Posted by: dee | May 16, 2008 10:14:47 AM

Let someone, male or female, call you men "Sweetie" and see how you like it.

Posted by: doobrah | May 16, 2008 9:32:56 AM

Oh for heaven's sake...this is just ridiculous. Talk about making mountains out of molehills... Some of you feminist type women are saying "Just because I'm a woman, don't treat me like a woman". Get over it!

Posted by: Moe | May 16, 2008 9:18:52 AM

Ah it begins. Welcome to the Presidential race Senator Obama. If this is the worst dirt anyone can dig up on the guy hey it will be a cake walk for him.

Posted by: JENNY | May 16, 2008 9:06:37 AM

What “Sweetie” really means. If you analyze the use of whom uses the term you will find that it is directed toward people believed to be somewhat “feebleminded”. Young women call old men and women sweetie, believing they are feeble minded or inferior. Old people call younger people sweetie, believing they are feebleminded or inferior. Men call women sweetie believing they are feebleminded or inferior. Women who call men sweetie believe men are feebleminded usually as far as sexual control, and men are too stupid(inferior) to realize the superior attitude of control.

So, Diane, Pay attention. Who called you “Sweetie”? A techie, who believes your intellect is “pomp and circumstance”. An old man from the old school who harbors the attitude of men are naturally superior? An older woman whose demeanor demonstrates in other areas her superiority due to age? A younger woman whom believes her authority and control makes her superior?

To test this natural phenomena of class rating, describe to yourself whom you call “Sweetie”. Your elderly senile parent or grandparent? Little children? It does not mean you harbor ill will, just the opposite. It is a social form of polite, endearing Pity.

Am I a Psychologist? No, I am a 60 year old diagnosed “Asperger” whom has studied what people are really saying so that I can understand the meaning behind their words. Up with Women.

Posted by: mary | May 16, 2008 9:05:00 AM

...so? Is this what we have to focus on? Tens of thousands have died after the quake in China, hundreds of thousands in Myanmar while over a million are now homeless.
But please, let's all jump over Obama calling someone "sweetie," a phrase that I've been called and have called many people in my life. What I found more interesting was the obvious bias of this article. News should tell us the facts and let us choose our own side instead of choosing for us.
Ok, sweetie?

Posted by: blenderswe | May 16, 2008 9:01:12 AM

Helen wrote:
------------------
You really are thick. Of course Obama didn't intentially insult the reporter. If he had, that would have been less offensive. It is because it came out so naturally that it is so insidious.
------------------
Yes, he used a friendly term of endearment with someone, oh the horror! What an insidious EVIL man he is!!!


Helen further whined:
------------------
It shows exactly where he places women in his scheme of things. Also, why do you guys insist on commenting on something that has absolutely NOTHING to do with you!
------------------
Yeah, silly men for thinking that the presidential campaign and who gets elected to run our country has something to do with us. Get over yourself Helen. It's a good thing that you got so worked up over this, you can make up for the fact that the reporter involved in the whole thing DIDN'T CARE!

You keep fighting the good fight though. I'm sure there's a monster under some other bed that you should be attending to. I heard that last night Obama called a poodle, "Hey little guy!" A clear affront to small dogs everywhere! He obviously has no respect for small, curly haired dogs!

Posted by: Clifford P. Claven | May 16, 2008 8:59:51 AM

"""I broke my word, I apologize for that, and I will make up for it," Obama said.""
We have really been seeing more of this from him and there go the promises he made to get votes.
The good ole boys syndrome. He should be treated for his illness!

Posted by: Angry Black Man | May 16, 2008 8:48:33 AM

This has to be the most ridiculous issue the mainstream media has fabricated up to this point in the primary season. Terms of endearment, like honey, sweetie, darlin', cher (Cajun French pronounced sha as in shack), etc. are all dependent upon the context within which they are used. For example, in the Cajun culture, at least in my experience, these words are delivered to someone to whom which you are appreciative of or to whom you are fond of, not in a romantic sense, but in a context of freindship. I did not find Senator Obama's remarks offensive in the least bit and if you check the record, I think you will see that he uses this term frequently as a term of endearment. The fact that he felt he had to call and apologize shows just how rediculous this issue is...or should I say this non-issue is!

Posted by: David | May 16, 2008 8:47:42 AM

THIS IS NEWS!!! If gas is $4.00 a gallon, If the Iraq war is still going bad, if we are in a recession, If President Bush's approval rating is at 30%,let's look at the rising National debt, the shrinking of the dollar, Who really cares if McCain is too old, lost his bearings,whether he voted for Bush or not, whether he can't tell sunni from Shia, Whether or not Reverend Wright or Ayers will hurt Obama, or that Hamas wants Obama to win, or if Obama wears a lapel pin (Neither Clinton nor McCain wear one) or whether he misspoke of 57 states, that Obama called a reporter "Sweetie", (Good Grief)whether we care if Clinton came under fire in Bosnia. Whether Britney is wearing under pants or not, People are worried about the real issues: Gas Prices, The War, The economy. Americans want "change in this election," and they especially care about health care, jobs, gasoline prices, college affordability and the Iraq war.

Posted by: Don Hannaford | May 16, 2008 8:23:47 AM

At least he did apologize. That is something.

Posted by: JENNY | May 16, 2008 8:21:46 AM

Personally, I find Bill Clinton's treatment of women much more offensive than being called sweetie or honey. I find Hillarys downgrading and dismissal of the importance of motherhood also demeaning. I stayed home with my boys until the youngest was in 5th grade. I did not have teas and only occasionally baked cookies.

Posted by: JENNY | May 16, 2008 8:15:45 AM

Just because southerners find using terms of endearment acceptable with complete strangers or with skilled professionals, it doesn't mean they should designate what is appropriate for the rest of the country or for other cultures. Men should have little to say in this situation. They should be asking how we feel when called "sweety" or "honey" and why. Would Hillary or a female reporter go around constantly calling men "Sweety" or go around calling Obama "sweety"? Absolutely not, because it's obviously demeaning. It's clearly unprofessional. I think it's dangerous for Diane Sawyer and other women to say "What's the big deal?". They're not taking the time to think it through or try to understand the opposing point of view. If you're not my boyfriend, DON'T call me pet names. I'm not your pet.

Posted by: Ann | May 16, 2008 7:58:41 AM

I do not wear jeans nor a cap or hat and want to know why it is so accepted to call women "you guys" Frankly, I am sick of it. At least, the lady knew who was being called Sweetie!!!!

Posted by: Not A Guy | May 16, 2008 7:54:10 AM

Referring to a professional woman as "sweetie" says volumns about this candidate. And to think we may be missing a rare window of opportunity to elect a woman who would probably be the most capable candidate in our wounded country's history. God help us.

Posted by: Jane | May 16, 2008 7:47:15 AM

Well I guess this proves Obama has no real corporate experience. I know of no company where a man could call a woman "sweetie". So this woman was a "typical white" who is probably clinging to her guns, bitterness, faith and deserves to be called "sweetie".
I am a Democrat who will vote for Hillary but not for Obama. So I guess my vote will go to McCain! I can't see where he has accomplished anything but 140 "present" votes (if you don't stand for something, you stand for nothing), run for President when he had said he would not do that in 2008, kept company with some questionable radicals and then denied connection, sat in a church that spewed black hatred of this country and did not walk out! Heaven help us!

Posted by: lee, Ohio | May 16, 2008 7:43:40 AM

Hillary, stay in there!

Go to the convention and make them vote, that is why we have elections.

Posted by: Johnsen | May 16, 2008 3:24:45 AM

Ferraro was a racist when she said Obama was helped by the fact he was black, but in this campaign the campaign against Hillary has gotten away with calling her "untruthful", "the senator from Punjab" and a "monster that stoops at nothing". A congressman that back Obama compared her to the psycho Glenn-Close-character in Fatal Attraction. This has been a most vile campaign, and the biggest hypocrith of them all is Obama. This sexist remark shouldn't surprise anyone who followed this campaign closely.

Posted by: Sylvia Johnsen | May 16, 2008 3:20:39 AM

So men can no longer use terms of endearment. This is obviously a cultural gap as well where many in the South and Midwest where people are not as uptight use terms of endearment.

In the Northeast, it would be out of place in a puritan culture.

Posted by: TR | May 16, 2008 2:10:03 AM

Caroline: Oh, you're right. If Obama should slip and call foreign leaders "sweetie" that's OK -- it's just a habit. Maybe he'll give German Chancellor Angela Merkle a shoulder rub (a la Bush). No problem.

Posted by: cappamore | May 16, 2008 1:49:29 AM

Some people seem to live in the past

Posted by: Leibovitz | May 16, 2008 1:38:41 AM

It is because of this sick overreaction that I will vote for Obama. I hope he will heal this country.

Posted by: Anna | May 16, 2008 1:35:49 AM

Oh sisters, what a bunch of over-reacting! Before I had kids I never said "sweetie or "honey" or any kind of endearment to ANYONE. After I became a mother, sweetie was something I said to my own kids all of the time. then I found myself saying it to my husband and even to my students all of the time. Barak is the father of two young girls whom I'm sure get the "sweetie" treatment from daddy a lot- it does become a habit- get over it already. Geez

Posted by: Caroline | May 16, 2008 1:10:11 AM

I honestly don't know what's worse -- the old man who has "lost his bearings," or the young man who has yet to find his.

Posted by: Mark | May 16, 2008 12:42:19 AM

It's not Obama's first sexist comment and it won't be his last. He is overtly arrogant and feels it's perfectly acceptable to make demeaning comments, but God forbid someone makes one about him. Racism is a problem but so is sexism. the fact that the latter is so easily dismissed should be of great concern. EVERYTHING that sounds even slightly race related is swiftly attacked but sexism continues to be ignored.
He smiles and goes on with his mocking tone and everyone swoons. It is offensive and I will not vote for him. He dismisses ANYONE who dares to question him and evades even the silliest of queries. He will make a horrible President if he is so chosen and his worshippers will quickly fall back to earth.

Posted by: G | May 15, 2008 10:31:43 PM

Women have been messed over for many years by the Democrat Party and it appears that millions of “US” will be returning the favor, should this primary season continue on its current path. Hillary Clinton is clearly the best choice to be our party’s nominee for President. As a life-long Democrat, age 55, I think the way my party has hosed Hillary and their most loyal and largest voting block; women intolerable. I am confident the Democrat Party will pay a severe price for this blatant assault on women in November. Cry all you want about this being “sour grapes” but little good will result from your on-going efforts to rally Hillary’s staunch supporters around your chosen candidate instead of the people’s choice. Now, the Democrat Party leaders want women to get their pre- selected from the start, elite, wimp, Barack Obama elected in November. It will be cold day in hell before I comply and I also hope Hillary walks away from this Party. Most of the women, and many men as well, with whom I have contact are finished with the Democrat Party, now and forever. Also, many of “US” are starting a grassroots movement to insure these kind of sorry tactics employed by my now soon to be former party, never happen again. This clear favoring of Obama, making him the nominee because the party doesn’t want a woman, especially a Clinton woman, is more that I can tolerate. Of all the gall, the Democrat Party now expects “US” girls, including Hillary, to turn over our undying support to Obama. Sorry guys, this is not going to happen. Obama has no shot of winning in November without Hillary’s help and all of us, her supporters. Not on your life or in your wildest dreams is this going to happen. Democrat Party leaders take heed and you superdelegates had better wait to declare your support until the final results of all the primaries are tallied and the voices of all 50 states and territories are heard from. At that time, the real nominee of the people can be declared for the fall election. Let it be known that the damage has already been done to the largest voting block in America. However, it remains to be seen how deep these “bitterly disappointing and highly blatant attacks” are to women. In my mind, this is a travesty and affects all women of America. I for one will change my registration to Independent, and possibly Republican, on the day I vote for Hillary Rodham Clinton in the KY primary. Bye, bye and good riddance from Mary O’Bryan, Louisville, KY, to my former party, no matter what happens in the primaries left to come.

Posted by: Mary O'Bryan | May 15, 2008 10:10:26 PM

"Boy" sounds the same demeaning, dismissive way to a black man that "sweetie" sounds to a woman on the job.

Get it now?

Posted by: J Cline | May 15, 2008 10:05:41 PM

J Cline ,

Does 'boy' sound like the exact opposite or male version of 'sweetie' to you or anyone else?

Posted by: Imagine | May 15, 2008 9:48:37 PM

Once again Obama proves he is a sexist pig jihadist.

Posted by: Sluggo | May 15, 2008 9:44:35 PM

MissTickly, my self esteem is just fine, unless you count being embarrassed for womanhood by Hillary's behavior. If his worst slip-up is a term of endearment, and hers are racist, like those after South Carolina, Louisiana, and Indiana, I'll take his.

Posted by: feelin just fine about myself, thank you very much | May 15, 2008 9:40:41 PM

Our current President is famous/infamous for the spontaneous pet names he creates for not only friends but other Heads of State. Just search wiki for "List of nicknames used by George W. Bush" if you don't know what I am talking about. It is so much a part of his character that it is considered cute.

Just some of the women on the list: Secretary of Education Margaret Spelling is "La Margarita," Justice Department liaison to White House Jan E. Williams Acosta is "Sweet Jan," Hillary Clinton is "Wonder girl" and Senator Olympia Snowe is "the Big O!!!"

So, I guess if our doddering, good-old-boy does it, he is just overly kind and endearing. But, if ONE-OF-THOSE-PEOPLE slips up and does it, with one of the most commonly used endearments in the language, he is being demeaning and condescending.

Oh, please. If this is what the future of our country comes down to, then God help us.

Posted by: jrenkx | May 15, 2008 8:41:07 PM

"This is insane. Whether it's always considered to be politically correct or not, people often refer to people of the opposite sex by terms of endearment, in professional situation as well as social situations."

WRONG--never in a professional setting, and not with someone with whom you are not intimate with or related to.

MOREOVER, you have to watch the video to see how bad it really was. The remark was a demeaning dismissive put-down brush-off.

LAST, Obama refered to Hillary as having her "claws" "out", dismissed her views as the prodict of emotion, and even refered to her "period".

Barack Obama has a problem. He knows better, but persists. We really know so little about this guy.

Posted by: Stephen Gianelli | May 15, 2008 8:25:24 PM

This guy is not knowledgeable enough. He told us that he had campaigned for 57 states. He didn't know Afghanistan did not speak Arabic and attribute problems to Arabic translator. He is just a puppet on a string. A high-flown actor behind a podium. He is not real.

He quits debate with this woman because they have debated four times; 3 times on big issues that he can anticipate the question, the last time he is surprised that Americans want to know him personally.

Everything he does is condoned and nothing Hillary did escape scrutiny. Sexism at work.

It is always people who get screwed. 2M voters are excluded in the nomination process. He did that to avoid a revote. He wanted to split delegates evenly and no other. What is the point of election if people are treated like loots to be divided.

There are principles this country must uphold for whoever.

Posted by: John_Lai | May 15, 2008 8:21:02 PM

Women who vote Obama have such low self esteem. What's more, women who defend this type of behavior make the majority of women in this country sick. History will not look kindly on you. And anyone who blames it on the reporter is just a disgusting human being, period.

Obama women, you better learn to love yourselves FAST, you still only make 77¢ to Obama's dollar. And with rape statistics being sky-high, you are only fooling yourselves if you dismiss sexism in this country. It's sad, but many of us Hillary supporters still stand up for you. You can thank us once you get the therapy you so desperately need.

Posted by: MissTickly | May 15, 2008 7:46:23 PM

itstrue wrote: "Putting aside Mr. Obama's candidacy aside completely, it is just plain wrong to use 'sweetie' to refer to a woman in a professional setting. It undermines a woman's image in the workplace, no matter how well-intentioned (or not well-intentioned) the speaker is. No one else here seems to agree with that, but I had to put my two cents in."

The rest are spinning for Obama. They clearly have no idea what it's like to work in a professional setting, and that a man calling a woman doing her job sweetie is demeaning and arrogant.

These are really clueless Obamabots.

Hillary '08

Posted by: rd | May 15, 2008 7:28:27 PM

I can't believe we are going to nominate this guy.

Posted by: A reader in Georgia | May 15, 2008 6:55:02 PM

Give me a break! With all the substantive issues facing us today, you choose to pump this up as an issue?

What’s notable to me is that Obama promptly and personally apologized for any offense taken, whether actual offense was given or not. That’s a laudable trait in a leader, and bodes well for a more civil and mature tenor to dealings in Washington.

Posted by: IndependentVoter | May 15, 2008 6:51:14 PM

This is insane. Whether it's always considered to be politically correct or not, people often refer to people of the opposite sex by terms of endearment, in professional situation as well as social situations.

This doesn't even compare to McCain calling his wife a **** in public. That is misogyny. That is an issue. This is silliness.

Posted by: DC | May 15, 2008 6:23:38 PM

Here in New Orleans, calling strangers daw'lin, sweetie, hon is common, and I like it. It isn't condescending, it opens channels of communication. A grocery store cashier called me sweetie, this week-end in response to my offering a small compliment. I've been to New York and have seen how they speak to, and treat, each other. I'll take the sweetie every time, thank you.

Posted by: Javalation | May 15, 2008 5:44:12 PM

Tony, I think your comment on people over 30 not being allowed on the internet shows ignorance. Perhaps we should institute a draft for people 30 and under so we can have perpetual war. Open discussion is a hallmark of democracy. The problem with this story is that it's no issue at all. Think about that the next time you fill your tank to go to the market and buy your overpriced groceries.
God Bless America! God Bless Obama!

Posted by: corsair | May 15, 2008 5:14:07 PM

..."as for his "race", he's on record as"... that's just it, everyone has a race, why are we still so hung up on THIS issue?

Posted by: sweetiePie | May 15, 2008 5:03:41 PM

I am not an Obama fan for many reasons that I will not discuss, but aside from the political context, what I am commenting on is the posters who think it is ok to call a woman "sweetie" in a professional environment. It is a dismissive term that would never be used to describe a man in a professional situation. Please do not believe for a second that this is not offensive.

Posted by: Amber | May 15, 2008 4:57:06 PM

As for his "race", he is on record as identifying himself as African American.

Not that race matters (it doesn't and shouldn't), but HE made it matter when he identified himself in racial terms.

Posted by: None in 08 | May 15, 2008 4:57:05 PM

Well, this is somewhat condescending ESPECIALLY as he NEVER even answered the woman's question.

Isn't his plan for autoworkers a relevant issue in this election?

Maybe he doesn't have one. Let's not forget he has practically zero presence in Michigan.

Posted by: None in 08 | May 15, 2008 4:53:11 PM

It is a little informal for the setting but to make a big deal out of it is silly. Treat females in a friendly manner and they are insulted, treat them all business like and you are elitist. It is a no win situation.

Posted by: Bo | May 15, 2008 4:51:43 PM

To Clifford P. Claven

You really are thick. Of course Obama didn't intentially insult the reporter. If he had, that would have been less offensive. It is because it came out so naturally that it is so insidious. It shows exactly where he places women in his scheme of things. Also, why do you guys insist on commenting on something that has absolutely NOTHING to do with you!

Posted by: Helen | May 15, 2008 4:46:49 PM

I was in a deposition the other day when an attorney accidentally called the deponant "sweetie." I call my kids "sweetie" and I'm sure the day will come when I inadvertantly call someone sweetie.

Now, back to the presidential election.

Posted by: AgathaX | May 15, 2008 4:42:19 PM

Let's review. It was a condescending brush-off. He smirked and chuckled with the men accompanying him after saying it. The fact that many of you rationalize it by claiming that sexism isn't as bad as racism doesn't hold water. Particularly since if Clinton's and Obama's roles were reversed, no one would dare be calling for him to abandon his campaign.

Posted by: HoosierSue | May 15, 2008 4:38:16 PM

Bushisms: and we're worried about "sweetie?"

George Bush:
"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? ... That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C., Feb. 28, 2008

"I heard somebody say, 'Where's (Nelson) Mandela?' Well, Mandela's dead. Because Saddam killed all the Mandelas." --George W. Bush, on the former South African president, who is still very much alive, Washington, D.C., Sept. 20, 2007

"I've heard he's been called Bush's poodle. He's bigger than that." --George W. Bush, on former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, as quoted by the Sun newspaper, June 27, 2007

"There are jobs Americans aren't doing. ... If you've got a chicken factory, a chicken-plucking factory, or whatever you call them, you know what I'm talking about." --George W. Bush. Tipp City, Ohio, April 19, 2007

Posted by: Liza | May 15, 2008 4:28:14 PM

Obviously, this topic is not as important as the crucial issues we face in this country and around the world. However, it does have significance. We already have a man occupying the Oval Office who routinely uses inappropriate language and flirts with the press and foreign leaders. Obama seems to have a tendency to do the same thing. I'm not looking forward to Obama giving a shoulder rub to Angela Merkle.

Posted by: cappamore | May 15, 2008 4:27:36 PM

@Matt: We think alike.

Posted by: Nate | May 15, 2008 4:24:12 PM

and you also have to keep in mind that your emotions are being influenced by the media. They will replay certain clips over and over again, they will put stories in certain orders, they will often take tiny snippets totally out of context, claiming "truth". The media is a business first, and a service to the people second. What that means is that on a scale of importance, ratings come before informing the people. This is the true problem in America -- focus on making people less stupid, and it'll have a ripple effect, all the way to political figures. It starts with learning to get over ourselves, and going out there to make a difference. Don't wait for public figures to take quick action -- YOU have to take action; it is called civil duty!

Posted by: another eye in the sky | May 15, 2008 4:15:41 PM

Ah, it's so amusing to watch people in fiery debates about politics, especially presidential candidates. Sometimes, too much emotion is involved -- PHD, or highschool drop out, it seems the majority of you are willing to jump at each other's throats. It's funny that adults act like this, and then go on criticizing public figures as if they are any worse. Arguing really doesn't get anywhere on a website - why don't you go out and actually do something instead of steaming in your chair? It takes action, not just words.

Posted by: An eye in the sky | May 15, 2008 4:11:56 PM

Obama is not half black! He is half white!! ...at least that's how I like to think of it. Ever wonder why everyone else only focuses on the half black part? ....dont tell me it's the one-drop rule all over again! Sheesh people, get over your racism! Like the blogger said, Hillary always calls people "Honey", and has been proven to lie. When Hillary got caught doing wrong, she danced around it, tried to ignore it so it'd go away. She never admitted to straight up lying, and as much as I love Bill, he lied about the reason why she lied. We all know the Clintons can lie, when they think they won't get caught. At least when Obama makes a mistake, he admits it, apologizes and moves on.

Posted by: mixman | May 15, 2008 4:10:54 PM

Hillary4Oregon:

I don't see how your PhD in "generic" somehow qualifies you to have a more influential statement in this argument. This whole thing was completely blown out of context. On top of everything he apologized for it JUST IN CASE she was offended. This country is going into the pits because of oversensitive idiots that take everything they're given and believe it. Question everything. While you're at it, you should go look up the definition of "sweetie" and find a source that refers to it as a derogatory statement. Good luck with that.

Posted by: Bob | May 15, 2008 4:09:47 PM

For those seeking to use this as permission to call someone of race a boy, please don't. It is not the same. Just go ahead and use the racist word you really want to use and spare us the justification.

The equivalent (in a professional setting) would be for one man to call another man buddy/dude/pal, or for a woman to call a man honey (or sweetie). It is only demeaning if the recipient perceives it as such, or if it is a slow news day at ABC News.

Posted by: Nelson | May 15, 2008 4:04:40 PM

This is indeed silly season. I was an airline captain at one of the major international carriers for some 30 years and remember many of the older very senior flight attendants calling me "sweetie" when taking my crew food order during flight. It never offended me or did I think it was "sexist."

Get over yourselves, haters. No matter what Senator Obama will say or how he will say it, you will always find fault.

You are playing into the hands of the folks who want to keep our country from looking at the dire issues that face us.

Not this time.

Time for change that we can believe in.

Posted by: Luke Gilmore | May 15, 2008 4:03:45 PM

Elect Obama for President and give the people a circus.

Posted by: sweetiePie | May 15, 2008 4:03:00 PM

This is so utterly ridiculous!! Really! I can't even count how many folks around me use the word and so what??

Posted by: twood | May 15, 2008 4:01:08 PM

Why are we so blind to what he is? Such a double standard. When did it get to the point that the "main stream" were willing to completely look the other way to the point that we will let two states vote and not count their right to choose so that another candidate can win.

When do we become as unfair and power hungry as the very Republicans we despise.

Count all votes and let the best Man or Sweetie win.

Ken

Posted by: ken | May 15, 2008 3:58:37 PM

This is ridiculous. I am an IT Contractor and I've been in many many companies. I have heard worst things than sweetie among co-workers. I didn't see much of anything in the clip worth writing this article about. I was behind Hillary until she started offending my intelligence. I'm still doing my research on Obama so I'm not 100% sure about him either.

Posted by: Neeko | May 15, 2008 3:58:28 PM

To the people who are using the term "boy" to relate to the term "sweetie":

What is wrong with you?
Do you not understand the history of these two words?

One is RACIST when used in the context your using it in....

The other is not, I wonder what the difference is?!

Posted by: Just a quick thought | May 15, 2008 3:53:34 PM

1. Using the term "sweetie" is not intended as an insult or demeaning term. Obama knows he has cameras on him 24/7. Do you really think he's going to intentionally insult a reporter that he doesn't even know?

2. When he realized that some people (like some of the uptight people posting here) might be offended by it, he went out of his way to issue an apology. That's much more than can be said about a lot of people.

3. The reporter, Peggy Agar, already appeared on camera and said that not only was she not offended by the comment, but she hardly even noticed he had said it. Her only concern was that he didn't answer her question.

4. With regards to him not answering her question (which several people here seem to be up in arms about), have any of you actually even bothered to watch the clip? Obama was walking with several other people and was already in a conversation when Peggy blurted out her question. Instead of interrupting what he was already doing (do you really think the candidates should all drop whatever they're doing any time any reporter anywhere wants to ask them a question?) he planned to answer it in the upcoming interview with her station. It turns out that she wasn't the interviewer in the later interview, so he didn't get to answer the question. That's hardly evasion. If you want to know what he plans to do about jobs in Michigan consult any of the 1/2 dozen other talks he's given on the subject or his website. Peggy was a little upset because she didn't get her own personal sound bite for her story. She doesn't seem to care one bit about being called "sweetie".

Posted by: Clifford P. Claven | May 15, 2008 3:51:05 PM

Ridiculous! Americans need to grow up...FAST!

Posted by: Robert | May 15, 2008 3:48:02 PM

Whew!!

ABC really knows how to focus on the issues.....

Posted by: ApostasyUSA | May 15, 2008 3:47:51 PM

I like Obama, but I must say, this link has me thinking twice, (apparently links are not allowed). Do a yahoo search "Obama claims he's visited 57 states."


Posted by: Mehmet | May 15, 2008 3:47:40 PM

Iraq, Oil and Gas Prices, Unemployment, Healtcare...and you are worried about someone calling a reporter "sweetie"...I think we have a lot more important issues to worry about!!

And by the way, just why are Congressmen so involved with steriods in Major League Sports??? Let the sanctioning bodies of these individual sports take care of their issues...again...more important issues for the Congress to worry about and get resloved!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: GBM | May 15, 2008 3:46:57 PM

This is newsworthy? Really?

I should expect as much from ABC after their 'debate' and what they considered relevant issues to this country.

Maybe you should look for a position with TMZ or Entertainment Tonight.

Posted by: Seriously | May 15, 2008 3:46:21 PM

FINALLY - they're paying attention. You one of those scratching your head wondering why calling a female reporter 'sweetie' in a professional setting is a problem? It's about privilege, and it's about being demeaning to someone you perceive as lower than you on the socio-economic ladder. Let's try a few different examples for clarity:

1. Hillary Clinton, in a public professional setting, says to Obama 'hang on just a second there, boy'

2. Barack says 'hang on sweetie' to an openly gay man

3. An openly gay man says 'sweetie' to John McCain (who is supposed to be receptive and nice about it).

It's NOT the same as your waitress or mother calling you dear or hon, as it is in an affectionate relationship. When this is done in a professional setting, it's about letting someone know you think you're superior to them.

She's right to be offended. I'm offended, but then I've known Barack is no friend to women's causes.

Posted by: Sharon | May 15, 2008 3:45:16 PM

Jezz, this is what we focus on?
Health Care? I have people dying from cancer in my Union, and management just cut them off after 20 years of faithfull fulltime employment.

The value of the dollar has tanked, from 1.2Euro per dollar to .7 euros.

The morgage crises has put millions onto the streats, and destroyed their credit permenantly.

We're talking about sweetie, because people feel talked down to.

Give me universal health care, a strong economy, and get me out of Iraq, and you can call me whatever you want.

Posted by: kyle | May 15, 2008 3:43:32 PM

What applies to a waitress or a nurse, amongst some of those who will call me honey or some other endearing name, does not apply to the President. I expect professionalism.
That said, Obama is not President. He wants to be, and he'll have to learn a couple of lessons JUST like ANYONE who puts themselves in that spotlight.
It's a gaffe, and he should be called out for it. But I find it ridiculous to extrapolate this to Barack's view of women, or respect for women.
Let's call it what it is, a gaffe and an unprofessional way of referring to somebody. Chastize him enough to realize he should work on it, and get the heck over it already.

Posted by: Hans Meiser | May 15, 2008 3:42:35 PM

Oh God! What now? Sweetie-Gate? Give me a BREAK ...

Posted by: Lazarus | May 15, 2008 3:42:24 PM

Oh come on now!

Posted by: Zach | May 15, 2008 3:42:22 PM

Yeah, its just a greeting. A greeting you use when you order coffee, not when you address a news reporter. Would you say sweetie to your boss? Someone with more power than you? I guess you will switch to "boss". It is just an indication of how you view the addressee. It shows lack of respect. if there was respect, you would clearly use Ma'am.

Posted by: Deb | May 15, 2008 3:42:14 PM

It's amazing how overtly PC this country has become. It's even more pathetic how this election has turned to small ball. Nevermind the isssues that are affecting people's lives, let's worry about that sweetie comment, Rev. Wright, etc.

Posted by: bdiddy | May 15, 2008 3:42:00 PM

If Obama gets to call a woman "sweetie" does that mean I get to call him "boy"?

I mean, no harm intended, you know. He does have a boyish look about him and all...

Posted by: J Cline | May 15, 2008 3:41:35 PM

Every single one of us is racist. Every single one of us enjoys things we shouldn't do. If you are waiting to vote for a perfect President, you will never get the chance.

Posted by: Bradbury | May 15, 2008 3:39:18 PM

Get over it! This is pathetic. I'm a man and will sometimes use little terms of endearment like that -- on women of all sorts. It's not in a sexual or demeaning manner in any way. And I have women, from waitresses to coworkers, call me "sweetie" all the time. Just grow up and soften up from your cold, porceline world and you'll find there's actually nice, not-uptight people who aren't afraid of other humans.

Posted by: Aaron M | May 15, 2008 3:37:59 PM

The double standard and idiocy here is unreal. Senator Clinton calls people "honey" a gazillion times on film, and nobody says a thing.

AT least he didn't lie compulsively about sniper fire, the Irish Peace Treaty, the NAFTA treaty, the mother dying in the hospital and on an on and on. All proven to be lies and shown as lies on TV.

At least, he is not on trial in Los Angeles Superior Court for fraud as is Hillary and Bill Clinton. Case number BC304174.

Posted by: willy | May 15, 2008 3:37:32 PM

Who cares? Just let the guy be, he's doing the best he can. People today take things way to far even when its just a word or phrase. It's crazy.

Posted by: joanna | May 15, 2008 3:36:31 PM

Sweetie-gate:

As if Obama didn't have enough problems, now this! My rule is never to call anyone sweetie unless they call me sweetie first. This also applies to 'honey,' 'hon,' 'babe,' or whatever.

Posted by: gestell | May 15, 2008 3:32:11 PM

I love people who try to Change the World when they should really start with the man in the mirror.

Hey Obama, Michael Jackson wrote a song about that. It's a pretty good song, too.

Posted by: Mark | May 15, 2008 3:31:12 PM

OBAMA SUPPORTERS; Read Obama's books and you will know that he is a racist.....he does not like white people. Read them....you will come out feeling differently about Obama.

Posted by: Clyde Nugget | May 15, 2008 3:30:19 PM

At 3am, we're definitely going to be wondering who's calling who a sweetie...right.

Posted by: AL | May 15, 2008 3:29:37 PM


I will now vote for McCain.
Obama has proven that he hates all that us americans hold dear.
He obviously hates woman
He obviously hates the american flag
He obviously hates all white people
He obviously wants to destroy our country

Our country is in grave danger from a man who wants to improve all our lives
He would like to see all of us with health care.
He wants to see our men and women home safe not fighting a war that we should have never started in the first place.
He wants to help the middle class and poor keep more of their money.
He wants to reach out the world and create a safer world, not by force but through intelligent dialog.
I disagree.

We need to keep fighting in Iraq until gas prices are above $7/Gallon so the oil companies line their pockets with more money.
We need to strip our women of all their rights.
We need to bomb anyone who gets out of line.
We most rule the world.
We most slowly spread our power until we have total world domination.
We most force the entire world to bow to our democracy

McCain 08

Posted by: Steven James | May 15, 2008 3:29:25 PM

Are you kidding me? Just watched the clip and that was not a sexist or derogatory comment. Hey Rick, how about understanding that Obama is devoting much of his time answering questions from the people who are directly affected by these issues, ala the factory workers, rather than cow towing to the media. McCain can butter you guys up all day, but in the end, it's the people and their issues that are most important.

Posted by: bdiddy | May 15, 2008 3:28:54 PM

I just came from a restaurant where the waitress, that I've never seen before called me "honey".. That's par for the course where I come from.

Make a big deal of it and then move south. What we have in Yankee Land is "morons on our team".

Posted by: willy | May 15, 2008 3:28:10 PM

This guy can't stop making blunders and insulting people or various groups. If a speech isn't written for him he can't operate ad lib! Why do you think he looked like such a fool in the debate? Why is anyone voting for him? He's totally off base and ignorant@

Posted by: Lynn | May 15, 2008 3:27:16 PM

LOL
This is so offensive...Ha, Ha

Posted by: clyde sweetie | May 15, 2008 3:26:26 PM

It was unprofessional and dismissive - hardly the behavior of someone I would want to be our President.

It should be reported - we need to hear it all - even those things too subtle for most to understand.

Posted by: Tom | May 15, 2008 3:25:59 PM

Wakeup America,

Obama is not ready for prime time!

Posted by: Lem | May 15, 2008 3:24:46 PM

Barack, sweetie, It is a real simple lesson to learn. Don't call anyone sweetie especially someone you don't know.

Posted by: David Velazquez Roa | May 15, 2008 3:23:01 PM

I don't know whats happening to this country. All this because he called some chick sweetie! After all you know how "those people" are - they're very informal.
I say get off the boy's back.

Posted by: louki | May 15, 2008 3:22:28 PM

What's wrong with calling someone "sweetie", daaarling?

Posted by: nazcalito | May 15, 2008 3:21:14 PM

You people who have defended Obama using "Sweetie". This is not about a black man calling a white woman "sweetie". Yes, we call our significant other "sweetie" but this woman was not Obama's significant other as far as I can tell. Corporations have seminars all the time about how to treat minorities and females. This would not be tolerated in today's corporate work. Where have you all been working? Not in the corporate world it seems. Obama made a big mistake and he's liable to make more big mistakes, but I don't want him making these mistakes with our country.

Posted by: Clyde Nugget | May 15, 2008 3:21:12 PM

When I moved to Philly it though it was weird that people called me honey. Now I call people honey, it's not a big deal.

Thank god this is the worst thing that you can find on Obama.

This post isn't just not news, it's not even punditry, it's just stupid!

Posted by: nick | May 15, 2008 3:19:02 PM

Hah hah, her name is redundant. "Sandy Sand" lols. He should have told her to go bake him a pie.

Posted by: Bob | May 15, 2008 3:18:54 PM

Making a mountain out of a molehill.

I saw the clip. It did not sound offensive.

Posted by: Eileen Jones | May 15, 2008 3:18:33 PM

This is sooooo scary that we are making this a news item. the SCARIEST part is...the people here who have surmised that.."Obama will start calling Putin, THe Queen etc SWEETIE."

Yeah - Um, that makes a lot of sense. Sure.

Or the person who said "why can't people see this as being unexperienced, he is not ready."

WHAT?!?! a little slip means you are inexperienced??? What about the guy we are stuck with since 2000!! Completely a failure as a governor...and a MESS in the private sector...yet - there he was!

This country -- so scary how many childish, mentally unstable and ignorant people there are.

The guy screwed up!! and quickly apologized!! I am more worried about him not getting back to THE QUESTION. Some very wise poster said it all-- there IS NO good answer to that -- the truth is the US auto industry is DONE 'cos we refuse to compete. We think we're the ONLY ECONOMY on the planet-- and we're starting to pay the price for that pomposity now.

Posted by: andre | May 15, 2008 3:18:04 PM

First, I would urge everyone to watch the 30 second video of the latest “sweetie” incident, because written reports of the incident do not capture the swaggering bravado with which Mr. Obama, while being escorted by male factory managers in Michigan, demeaningly dismisses a female TV reporter, who asks a question on camera about lost factory jobs, by saying: “Wait just a minute sweetie”, at which point his male escorts devolve into boys club laughter and Mr. Obama swaggers off with a kind of walk (more like a strut) that one needs to see for themselves to believe.

Second, I would urge you to Google “Obama sexist”—he has quite a history. I will give you just two examples:

Political Punch, February 16, 2008, “Is Obama Using Sexist Language?”, [Obama says, in reference to Hillary Clinton, that when you try to change the status quo “the claws come out”, and discusses Hillary’s “periodic” flashes of anger when “she is feeling down.”]

US News blog, April 4, 2008, “Obama's 'Sweetie' Problem” [Obama addresses a woman he meets on the campaign trail as “sweetie”.]

It cannot be that 46 year old Barack Obama--a former law professor and Harvard Law Review Editor--is ignorant about the inappropriate nature of his sexist comments. Rather, once can only conclude he either cannot help himself or does not care.

Obama, as they say, "has issues" with women.

Posted by: Stephen Gianelli | May 15, 2008 3:17:40 PM

This country is not going to hell; it has gone.

What a ridiculous tempest in a teapot. The word sweetie, especially among young urban people of whatever color, is used quite freely.

It's like a waitress in a coffee shop calling a customer "hon." GET OVER IT.

Posted by: Margo Kline | May 15, 2008 3:16:58 PM

In today's work, no one in the work force dares to call a woman "sweetie". For Obama to do so with his goal to become leader of this country is absolutely stupid, discourteous and a big NO NO for any leader of this country. Shows how very ignorant he really is in dealing with real people. How would he address the leader of Germany, "Hi, Sweetie". She's love that.

Posted by: Clyde Nugget | May 15, 2008 3:16:53 PM

I see the Obama campaign staffers are adequately represented here in the responses. Good job trying to protect your candidate guys. You are right..after all... why should a professional mind being called "sweetie"... I'm mean, it's not like it's demeaning or anything. Right??!!

Posted by: Tonia | May 15, 2008 3:13:30 PM

Way to go sweetiePie. You've just confirmed my position of not supporting Obama. How can you turn this into a white/black issue? This might possibly be a sexism issue - but you had to play the race card. Unbelievable. No, actually it's completely believable.

Posted by: D | May 15, 2008 3:11:57 PM

I swear white people are the overdramatic whiners about everything. Now it's derogatory to call women "sweetie"?? Have u run out about things to fuss about? I'm not from the south & i say sweetie, so the notion it's a southern thing only is just silly. It's a term of endearment...get a life

Posted by: kevin | May 15, 2008 3:11:40 PM

It's a good thing we have this sort of thing to distract us from the ? billions of dollars we're spending in Iraq.

Let's get to the bottom of this "sweetie" thing pronto!

Posted by: Luke | May 15, 2008 3:09:02 PM

Whatever, it's totally normal. I wish the press would find something substantive to say about these campaigns - really makes me not want to watch the news.

My response: who cares?

Posted by: JL | May 15, 2008 3:08:44 PM

How about this....

Pretend Hillary Clinton said it ... and she said it to a black man .... and instead of "sweetie" she called him "boy".

How innocuous is it now?

Posted by: Tamara588 | May 15, 2008 3:08:29 PM

Man alive! They'll attack him for anything. Take this as a compliment even though a waste our precious time in that this demonstrates how fearful the right is of him. And with good reason. He blows them away hands down. The right never attacks anyone unless they see a threat. Personally, although I find it pretty stupid it's rewarding to see the right quiver in fear of losing power.

Posted by: RogerP | May 15, 2008 3:08:00 PM

You know ur wrong, Obama is a good man. Out of desparation, white people are now taking uncalculated punches (i.e. 'Political Punches') at noble black people and swinging blindly at combating the positive changes in America brought about by Black people.

Why is it, when virtue comes in Black, we all have to wait to benefit until the White version comes along??

Posted by: sweetiePie | May 15, 2008 3:07:00 PM

I am not at all surpriced of the media making such a big issue on this. It appears that we are indocternated and brain washed by the media that find anything to talk about. Why are we becoming a culture with long toes, being afraight that someone might step on them. Get a life people, there are more important issued that we should address that the media is avoiding since they are no longer doing objective reporting. Investigative reporting is now out of the window, as is the freedom of the press. They might still refer this as the freedom of the press, but it is now controlled by those that have the money. Let's face it, our constitutional rights are slowly being chipped away by the corporate structure. Mark my words, the general American populations will be passified as long as they will have the following;
1. Food in their belly.
2. Somekind of roof over their head.
3. Their sports and their alcohol.
4. Their toys.

If our government can keep them pasified, then they can be controlled by the big corporations. Note, we have the best politision money can buy and I literaly mean it. So people open your eyes and do not let them manipulate you.

Posted by: Gary | May 15, 2008 3:05:49 PM

The press makes a big deal out of something this ridiculous and then can't believe Obama doesn't want to give them more access. Shocking.

Posted by: CJ | May 15, 2008 3:04:02 PM

And so it begins :-)

Posted by: Ms.E | May 15, 2008 3:01:25 PM

Unbelievable that this made the news. But on second thought maybe not. I'm surprised it wasn't breaking news on CNN.

Posted by: Linda | May 15, 2008 3:01:16 PM

Oh PLEASE tell me you're not taking this drivel seriously?!?!? My dentist calls me "dear", the TSA screener at the airport calls me "sugar", the librarian calls me "hon", etc. etc. I'm one of the original bra-burning 'libbers from the 70's and I don't get offended by these simple pleasantries. Their use is clearly an unconscious habit of the speaker that means nothing whatsoever in terms of sexism or disrespect. I take it as an indication of friendliness from someone who may not know or remember my name... that's ALL!

Posted by: Marlene | May 15, 2008 3:00:34 PM

Many of you have people from the south have excused Obama's sweetie comment as being unimportant because you hear it all the time, or use it yourself. Please remember that Obama is NOT from the south, and calling a woman sweetie is a "put down" of immense proportions coming from someone who is a presidential candidate. It is a true indication of where women fit into his agenda. Obama is aloof, arrogant and thinks he is superior. Also, this is not a subject that you men should even be commenting on unless the insult was being directed at a male.

Posted by: Helen Smith | May 15, 2008 2:59:41 PM

Calling someone sweetie in a professional setting is not appropriate at any time. If Mr. Obama as president takes to calling women coworkers or other professional women sweeties or honey he will set a bad example for the rest of the country. By his seemingly innocent behavior he will roll back the advances made protecting women from sexual harassment in the work place and other places in society.Yes, we have many pressing problems as a country but all these problems will mean nothing to a woman who feels personally attacked or sexually harassed by a male coworker. It starts with sweetie but where will it end? Furthermore, I'm appalled how casually Obama supporters dismiss this as insignificant. I can just imagine how loud you would be howling had another candidate made this kind of remark. By the way I'm a white male and am supporting whoever wins the primaries.

Posted by: Olaf Fischer | May 15, 2008 2:58:35 PM

Ever been at an Obama rally? At least once some youth will yell "I love you!" and he will quip back "I love you too!" Are you moronic enough to think he really means it? Some reporter yells a question when he hasn't asked for questions. Rather than ignore her completely, he offers a throw-a-way, "later sweetie." Big deal. If it had been a question of substance he might have interrupted himself to answer it. Lets not over analyze everything, just to get our 15 seconds of fame. Get out of his face, step back and listen for a while.

Posted by: ed in chapel hill | May 15, 2008 2:57:07 PM

a bad move on Obama's part, not exactly fluff, but also not exactly substantive either. He apologized. Let it go. Hell, Bill Clinton slept with an intern in the oval office, now that's substantive.

Posted by: john | May 15, 2008 2:55:45 PM

What the hell is this crap? He called a reporter sweetie? OH NOES.

Ridiculous. One second, this just in: Obama concedes race to Hilary Clinton after it is discovered he said "Thanks a lot son" to a young man who helped him load his car at Home Depot.

Posted by: TT | May 15, 2008 2:53:07 PM

We HAVE to QUIT picking ourselves apart in this society. I'm not an Obama supporter, but come on...this stuff has to stop. It's gotten to where we are afraid to say, "Yes, Ma'am." or hold the door for the next person.

Posted by: Gentleman | May 15, 2008 2:51:51 PM

I don't like any of the candidates and will either not vote or write in someone arbitrary, but I think it's a pretty hilarious double standard that people who support Obama call those who don't "racists" or "ignorant". If you are voting for Obama BECAUSE he is black then you are just as racist or uninformed. If you are voting for him because you've earnestly looked into what everyone stands for and make a decision based on the information and experience, then okay. Otherwise you are just as hypocritical as the followers you speak against.

Posted by: ToHypocriticalSupporters | May 15, 2008 2:51:45 PM

itstrue Can you run for President?...PLEASE?

Posted by: thank_you_very_much | May 15, 2008 2:50:56 PM

I support Hillary Clinton, but I must saying, calling someone Sweetie? Give me a break, it is simply a kind gesture and should have no relevance. I find myself using the term now, I think it is just an age thing. Let's talk about stuff that is more important, really.

Posted by: Dale | May 15, 2008 2:50:42 PM

Are you seriously reporting this?

I will never watch ABC again.

Posted by: Bob | May 15, 2008 2:49:21 PM

I find it quite amazing that anyone would tolerate this guy as a candidate. During the Iowa Caucus, Jeh Johnson visited our home several times to get the vote out for Obama. Jeh is quite the character and I firmly believed Obama could be a change for the good. Now, after all the nonsense, I could no more support Obama or (my party choice) McCain. I have always had disdain for the Clinton Clan, however - may have to start supporting her in Iowa (though she chose to blow us off after the caucus).
I also find it hard to believe that in an ultraprofessional environment, he would use the term "sweetie". I find it harder to believe that anyone would give him a pass on it regardless of your personal life or unprofessional work environment experiences. Mr. Johnson, is noted as the top black attorneys in New York and I am sure would support a workplace harrassment complaint if a peer/supervisor would use the same term. If I am wrong - let me know and thanks for the gift Mr. Johnson, Rebecca and I have truly enjoyed the documentary.

Posted by: Butch | May 15, 2008 2:49:16 PM

I't is amazing the extent that todays media has gone to believe that Americans are so shallow that we would accept the idea that, somehow this passes for news-worthy.
As for the mistaken title of 'Senior Nation Correspondent" It should have read "National Inquirer senior correspondent"

Posted by: CRay | May 15, 2008 2:48:56 PM

Posted by: itstrue | May 15, 2008 2:37:53 PM

Can you run for President....PLEASE!!!???

Posted by: thank_you_very_much | May 15, 2008 2:48:44 PM

Sweetie? This article seems EXTREMELY biased. Obviously, the "professional" who wrote this article isn't a fan of Senator Obama and jumped at the chance to write a crude column based on something that was clearly a flub of words. If he called her Sweetcheeks or Baby - I would understand. But this should not be made news. It's not sexual harassment. If it was continued with the knowledge of the female not appreciating this term, it would be. But it was only once directed towards her. Therefore - waste of time and unappropriate.

Posted by: Natasha | May 15, 2008 2:45:10 PM

I'm an Obama supporter and I saw it happen the first time on Cable news.
He called the reporter "Sweetie".
I thought something was awry and I guess it was.
Nobody complained. It took Obama's camp to reach out and recognize then apologize.

Good points in this thread. Perhaps that is indeed "habit" the way Obama speaks but it leaped out at me when I first heard it and I suggest that the senator train himself to stop calling folks "sweetie". Imagine 2009, President Obama over there talking to, oh, I don't know .. PUTIN and PUTIN's president and President accidentally going

"Ok sweetie .. no more nuclear proliferation".

I don't think Putin would take kindly to that "sweetie" remark but since President Obama didn't direct it at either Putin OR the Russian Prez .. they're both left wondering

"Which one of us is the sweetie?"

Stop it Obama even if you have to take some pills.

Posted by: puma | May 15, 2008 2:39:34 PM

Putting aside Mr. Obama's candidacy aside completely, it is just plain wrong to use 'sweetie' to refer to a woman in a professional setting. It undermines a woman's image in the workplace, no matter how well-intentioned (or not well-intentioned) the speaker is. No one else here seems to agree with that, but I had to put my two cents in.

Posted by: itstrue | May 15, 2008 2:37:53 PM

aww, that's so sweet, and completely irrelevant at the same time.

Here is a question that really should be asked of us, a mirror so to speak, held up for the face of America.

Are we as a people and a culture so vapid and insipid that something like this is actually news to us?

and what kind of a question is that, might as well shout a question like, "What are your plans for returning the United States to a position of being a the top industrial manufacturing nation in the world?"

are you supposed to answer truthfully?

how about a possible answer that Barack could have given that little sweet reporter, who asked a question, that everyone knows the answer to, yet somehow it has escaped her.

"What are your plans for helping the american auto worker?"

Right about then, I would have stopped, turned around, walked directly over to her, put my hands on both of her shoulders, looked her directly in the eyes and said, "Honey, you really don't want an answer to that question, but since you asked, there really isn't anything that can be done to help the American autoworker, decades upon decades of over inflated wages, unions that have forced the major automakers to sustain benefits that they could not afford have shifted the jobs to foreign countries and they are not coming back anytime soon, the United States has shifted from being a nation of innovation and production, to being a country full of consumers, gregarious consumers. While the EU was building highspeed trains, we were building bigger cars. While other countries were educating their children in chemistry, physics and math, we were educating our children to be more sensitive and more politically correct. So you ask me how am I going to help the American autoworker, I will help the American autoworker the same way I will help all americans, by being honest with them.

Hope that answered you question, sweetie.

Posted by: Hiyer | May 15, 2008 2:37:42 PM

WHAT IS THE BIG DEAL? "SWEETIE" ITS A TERM THAT NOT ONLY YOUR MOTHER OR YOUR GRANDMOTHER USES. EVERY WORD THAT COMES FROM WITHIN THE OBAMA CAMP IS TAKEN OUT OF CONTEXT. HOW ABOUT MCCAIN AND HAGEE INCIDENT OR DOES THAT NOT FALL WITHIN THE SAME ISSUE? THEY WERENT ALL OVER THE NEWS WITH THE HAGEE ISSUE.
BETTER YET HERES THE ISSUE AT HAND THE AMERICAN ECONOMY IS DOWN AND GAS PRICES ARE UP!! TALK ABOUT THAT. THE ONLY PEOPLE THAT WILL VOTE MCCAIN WILL BE THE WEALTHY OR PEOPLE THAT HOLD RACISM AS THEIR VOTING TOOL. VOTE FOR CHANGE! VOTE AMERICA! VOTE DEMOCRAT!

Posted by: MYRA | May 15, 2008 2:35:02 PM

Well, thats why President Position is not an Internship. I bet you Obama will have more problem with other countries just because of his statements which can lead to war.

--------------The End--------------

Posted by: nick | May 15, 2008 2:34:48 PM

Actually, this happened to me recently at my new job. I had a male co-worker call me sweetie..funny thing, we just went through diversity and harrassment training recently. :) Female co-workers made a big deal out of it and told me that he shouldn't be calling me "sweetie". I live in the South, so "hon" and "sweetie" are words that are common in our part of the world. However, I pulled this gentlemen to the side and told him that although I was not offended, my female friends were, so I would appreciate if he would not do this in the future..he apologized and hasn't called me that again. Gotta be careful with those words..it can be sexual harrassment in this day and time!

Posted by: aggie43 | May 15, 2008 2:34:16 PM

Goodbye, ABC!

Posted by: ed | May 15, 2008 2:33:38 PM

That's it. I'll now watch other networks.

Posted by: phil | May 15, 2008 2:32:34 PM

Really? Sweetie? If that's all the worse you can find in the man, then he must not be so bad, right?

Posted by: Bob Oden | May 15, 2008 2:31:59 PM

I wish I could take bets from those Republicans who guarantee a McCain victory in November. But, I would be charged in December with cruel and unusual punishment for taking candy from a baby.

Posted by: Tommy T., Huntsville, AL USA | May 15, 2008 2:31:38 PM

The responses defending Obama's remarks illustrate precisely why this country is ready to nominate a black man ahead of a woman of any color.

Posted by: HoosierSue | May 15, 2008 2:31:19 PM

THIS IS NEWS!!!! If gas is $4.00 a gallon, If the Iraq war is still going bad, if we are in a recession, If President Bush's approval rating is at 30%,let's look at the rising National debt, the shrinking of the dollar, Who really cares if McCain is too old, lost his bearings,whether he voted for Bush or not, whether he can't tell sunni from Shia, Whether or not Reverend Wright or Ayers will hurt Obama,if Obama called a reporter "sweetie" (Good Grief!!) or that Hamas wants Obama to win, or if Obama wears a lapel pin (Neither Clinton nor McCain wear one) or whether he misspoke of 57 states,whether we care if Clinton came under fire in Bosnia. People are worried about the real issues: Gas Prices, The War, The economy. The people will want CHANGE!!!!


Posted by: Janet Hannaford | May 15, 2008 2:30:24 PM

Yep...I'm a racist because I don't think Obama has the credentials to be president yet. Dang it, I knew that would come back to haunt me.
How come I'm racist for supporting McCain in 00' and now? Rhetoric doesn't always equate to a qualified candidate. Instead of pandering with hitting on hope, how about Mssrs. Obama grant more access?

Posted by: Josh Marshall | May 15, 2008 2:28:10 PM

Yep...I'm a racist because I don't think Obama has the credentials to be president yet. Dang it, I knew that would come back to haunt me.
How come I'm racist for supporting McCain in 00' and now? Rhetoric doesn't always equate to a qualified candidate. Instead of pandering with hitting on hope, how about Mssrs. Obama grant more access?

Posted by: Josh Marshall | May 15, 2008 2:24:56 PM

Whats more worse..calling the reporter sweetie or calling her sweetie to sweet talk her into dropping her tough question

focus on the mans inability to tackle tough problems ..before labling him sexist... that is simpler for him than being called the escapist and oppurtunist that he is

Posted by: nostra | May 15, 2008 2:23:56 PM

why are so many SCARED of Obama. I see a lot about experience. If we have experienced people in DC now then we need new blood. it aint hc and it aint jmac. Besides you are all my sweeties. Stop the PC bs and be a person that is kind to others.

Posted by: joe ed | May 15, 2008 2:23:52 PM

THIS IS NEWS!!!! If gas is $4.00 a gallon, If the Iraq war is still going bad, if we are in a recession, If President Bush's approval rating is at 30%,let's look at the rising National debt, the shrinking of the dollar, Who really cares if McCain is too old, lost his bearings,whether he voted for Bush or not, whether he can't tell sunni from Shia, Whether or not Reverend Wright or Ayers will hurt Obama,if Obama called a reporter "sweetie" (Good Grief!!) or that Hamas wants Obama to win, or if Obama wears a lapel pin (Neither Clinton nor McCain wear one) or whether he misspoke of 57 states,whether we care if Clinton came under fire in Bosnia. People are worried about the real issues: Gas Prices, The War, The economy. The people will want CHANGE!!!!

Posted by: Don Hannaford | May 15, 2008 2:23:21 PM

All these women who focusing on this "sweetie" thing have way too much time on their hands. All I can say is: Get a life!

Posted by: rhbate | May 15, 2008 2:23:07 PM

calling someone sweetie (yes, even in a professional environment) is often acceptable in black culture. we're not all white! get over it and move on to the important stuff.

Posted by: Hunny | May 15, 2008 2:22:23 PM

the name of the blog is Political Punch. This means they will splash any mud, kick anyone, no blow is too low. And as Jack explains, his mom never called him sweetie, she likely never gave him a hug too.. so the bile he spew is clear... Mystery solved!!!!

Posted by: Matt | May 15, 2008 2:19:50 PM

This is exactly the kind of divisive crap that keeps this country in the global gutter. Instead of focusing on substantive issues, people are more interested in parsing meaningless drivel to the point of idiocy. It's no wonder this country is in shambles. Shame on the media for perpetuating this tripe. It's sad that I have to read international news to get a somewhat subjective stance on real issues that matter in my own country.

Posted by: Doug | May 15, 2008 2:19:20 PM

People are dying in Iraq RIGHT NOW, people are dying in China, credit bureau's rule America, the economy is in the shitter...and we are talking about THIS?

Fine. So be it. But let's get back on track...shall we....sweetie?

I'll call you anything you want, just focus on the problems facing America.

Posted by: Brian Evans | May 15, 2008 2:19:02 PM

I think the really telling thing about Obama is the reluctance to answer questions off the cuff. Doesn't like it, can't do it well. Even at an official press conference, he shows his anger and discomfort when asked about something he doesn't want to talk about. For instance, when he stormed out of the room when asked a Rezko question (when the press finally got around to that subject).

Hmmm.. Bush is kind of like that, too.

Posted by: cappamore | May 15, 2008 2:15:11 PM

don't we have better things do? give me a break - from Sweetie

Posted by: Tom | May 15, 2008 2:15:05 PM

This is a silly issue. Let's get back to more important ones. Like Michelle Obama calling the country she wants to be First Lady for a "mean country."

I don't know about the rest of you, but I prefer my First Ladies sorta like the country a little bit.

But geeze, I guess that's asking too much.

Posted by: Jo | May 15, 2008 2:14:54 PM

I find the tone of the piece overly dramatic and self-righteous. And I'm pretty sure there are bigger issues to write about.

Posted by: Jarrad | May 15, 2008 2:14:01 PM

Rick Klein your comments are about as well-pitched as Senator Hillary Clinton's failed campaign. You're either A) a frustrated republican viewing an eminent loss or B) you actually believe Senator Obama's actions were somehow inappropriate, which means you're uneducated about what it's like to campaign day after day and listen to semi-coherent reporters ask redundant questions that they have had written for them. I suspect you're somewhere in between A and B sweetie.

Posted by: Mike Roos | May 15, 2008 2:13:52 PM

This was a b.s. report. As long as this thing is and the value of it is really rediculous...reporting. I can't believe a reporter would blow up such a thing that is so harmless is unbelievable. Yet, I understand that this is a reporter and as usual can't really report on anything that has real public interest that will make a difference.

Posted by: Terry | May 15, 2008 2:12:10 PM

McCain called his wife a name recently? You have it on video? Really?

lol. Can we at least stay current?

Posted by: Jo | May 15, 2008 2:11:41 PM

Yet another example of how Obama reminds me of Bush -- remember Bush's nicknames for the press and they all loved it. Just like they love Obama. I give this Detroit reporter credit for standing up to the sweetie business.

And Jo, you are so right about the comic aspect of Obama wanting to clean up Washington. He's got his own dirty politics background in Chicago that the press and his supporters just don't seem to care about.

Posted by: cappamore | May 15, 2008 2:10:10 PM

Instead of this "sweetie" stuff, think on something that really matters. In my email today:

By Charlie Reese former columnist of the Orlando Sentinel:

"Politicians are the only people in the world who create problems and then campaign against them.

Have you ever wondered why, if both the Democrats and the Republicans are against deficits, we have deficits?

Have you ever wondered why, if all the politicians are against inflation and high taxes, we have inflation and high taxes?

You and I don't propose a federal budget. The president does.

You and I don't have the Constitutional authority to vote on appropriations. The House of Representatives does.

You and I don't write the tax code, Congress does.

You and I don't set fiscal policy, Congress does.

You and I don't control monetary policy, The Federal Reserve Bank does.

One hundred senators, 435 congressmen, one president and nine Supreme Court justices - 545 human beings out of the 300 million - are directly, legally, morally and individually responsible for the domestic problems that plague this country.

I excluded the members of the Federal Reserve Board because that problem was created by the Congress.

In 1913, Congress delegated its Constitutional duty to provide a sound currency to a federally chartered but private central bank.

I excluded all the special interests and lobbyists for a sound reason. They have no legal authority.

They have no ability to coerce a senator, a congressman or a president to do one cotton-picking thing.

I don't care if they offer a politician $1 million dollars in cash. The politician has the power to accept or reject it. No matter what the lobbyist promises, it is the legislator's responsibility to determine how he votes.

Those 545 human beings spend much of their energy convincing you that what they did is not their fault. They cooperate in this common con regardless of party.

What separates a politician from a normal human being is an excessive amount of gall.

No normal human being would have the gall of a Speaker, who stood up and criticized the President for creating deficits.

The president can only propose a budget.

He cannot force the Congress to accept it.

The Constitution, which is the supreme law of the land, gives sole responsibility to the House of Representatives for originating and approving appropriations and taxes.

Who is the speaker of the House?

She is the leader of the majority party.

She and fellow House members, not the president, can approve any budget they want.

If the president vetoes it, they can pass it over his veto if they agree to.

It seems inconceivable to me that a nation of 300 million can not replace 545 people who stand convicted -- by present facts - of incompetence and irresponsibility.

I can't think of a single domestic problem that is not traceable directly to those 545 people.

When you fully grasp the plain truth that 545 people exercise the power of the federal government, then it must follow that what exists is what they want to exist.

If the tax code is unfair, it's because they want it unfair.

If the budget is in the red, it's because they want it in the red.
If the Marines are in IRAQ , it's because they want them in IRAQ .
If they do not receive social security but are on an elite retirement plan not available to the people, it's because they want it that way.
There are no insoluble government problems.

Do not let these 545 people shift the blame to bureaucrats, whom they hire and whose jobs they can abolish; to lobbyists, whose gifts and advice they can reject; to regulators, to whom they give the power to regulate and from whom they can take this power.

Above all, do not let them con you into the belief that there exists disembodied mystical forces like 'the economy,' 'inflation' or 'politics' that prevent them from doing what they take an oath to do.

Those 545 people, and they alone, are responsible.

They, and they alone, have the power.

They, and they alone, should be held accountable by the people who are their bosses - provided the voters have the gumption to manage their own employees.

We should vote all of them out of office and clean up their mess!"
*********************************************************


Posted by: willy | May 15, 2008 2:05:12 PM

OMG, this along with not wearing a flag pin makes Obama unfit to be president.

Posted by: JP | May 15, 2008 2:00:51 PM

Many white americans do not want a black man to be their president. They are not bold enough to say it in public, but instead they chose to make a big deal of everything Obama does or says.

If u believe Obama is a racist and a sexist after all the respect he has shown Hiliary and White americans, then u obvious not intelligent enough to know the difference.

Many white americans are the biggest racist on the planet, they treat minority groups as second class citizens.

If u are even white and criticise ur country, u get attacked for being unpatriotic, u all living a lie.

Posted by: GARY | May 15, 2008 1:57:15 PM

I also find it amusing that Mr. Obama be berated for calling a reporter “sweetie”. I find it more instructive to pay attention to WHAT HE IS NOT SAYING. His mantra is “time for change” But no one has any idea what or how he will change anything. If he continues to utter these little “sexist slips”, A few uneducated beer drinking women will eventually “get their claws out” and show him the errors of his ways. These Bitter old white women will eventually see that the emperor has no clothes and call him naked.
(that’s code for nothing, But you can read into it what you want. You will any way!)

Posted by: WTFnow? | May 15, 2008 1:56:59 PM

Where I live, strangers call each other, 'hun', 'sweetie', and other 'NICE' names all the time. In fact, I sometimes say, 'darlin'. I'm over 60, and not once has anybody taken offense by this.

True, Obama probably should not have called the reporter 'sweetie', but c'mon, he realized the mistake, apologized for it like a man, and now, let's move on.

It's people that make an incident like this a major issue that should not be in the media profession. Get a life.

Posted by: Ray | May 15, 2008 1:54:54 PM

Couldn't be any worse than Bush's names for members of the press corps.

"I'll get your question later, Stretch, but first let me answer Blindy."

Okay, not a real quote, but about that stupid.

Posted by: David | May 15, 2008 1:54:26 PM

It's not news, it's Rick Klein.

Posted by: Aaron | May 15, 2008 1:52:33 PM

Wonder if the Clinton will speak out against this inappropriate conversation with that woman?

Posted by: Sweetie Gate | May 15, 2008 1:52:30 PM

Big deal. He said sweetie. Have you nothing more substantive to report on?

Posted by: report the news please | May 15, 2008 1:51:50 PM

Don't let this be the one that derails his campaign. PLEASE! Of all things, don't let this non-issue be one of them!!!

Posted by: Ed | May 15, 2008 1:51:11 PM

People care about this but ignore the fact that Obama says he wants us to transfer American Arabic linguists and poppy eradicators from Iraq to Afghanistan? Afghans don't speak Arabic and there aren't any poppy eradicators in Iraq because Iraq doesn't have a big heroin poppy problem. Obama can't tell the difference between Iraq and Afghanistan and the press is too busy reporting about him calling someone sweetie?

Posted by: Charles | May 15, 2008 1:50:07 PM

Anyone debating this idiotic point for X amount of time over 2 seconds has just wasted X - 2seconds amount of time in their life that they will never again get back. This is almost a rhetorical point....come on people!!!! ONE WORD...SUBSTANCE!!

Posted by: Anon | May 15, 2008 1:50:03 PM

I can't think of anything less newsworthy

Posted by: Dave | May 15, 2008 1:49:41 PM

People who keep ranting about things like his "contempt" and "arrogance" have clearly never watched Barack so "arrogantly" listen to his interviewers' questions and respond in "contemptuous" manner. i.e. with thoughtful responses that actually deal with the question directly as opposed to trotting out standard soundbytes or circling the question without answering it like ahem Hillary.

Posted by: lcvt | May 15, 2008 1:47:33 PM

this is hilarious. I'm female, and maybe it's a regional difference but to me calling a girl "sweetie" is no different from calling a guy "hun" or "fella." It's not insulting and he apologized for the misunderstanding, so where's the issue again? Oh yeah, there never was one. great reporting man! . oops, did i insult you?

Posted by: steph | May 15, 2008 1:47:30 PM

Gloria, I've never heard Obama say anything "contemptuous" about the women in his family. In fact, he seems to go out of his way to talk about how much he respects and appreciates them. Can you give an example of the "contemp" you are referring to?

Oh, and p.s.? He's not Arabic.

Posted by: Sweetie | May 15, 2008 1:44:19 PM

Well, I think people are becoming so obnoxious. What's the big deal? I call anyone "sweetie" just because. Obama is a great candidate, an aspiring leader, intelligent and most of all a well-spoken person. So, if people just want to say something here because they feel they have to say it, then be it. But honestly, "Sweetie" is really not a biggie!! And for those of you haters, he will continue to get the support of the superdelegates because he is the man for the job and they are continuously confirming that to the American people. Wake up haters, he is going to be your president and you may as well learn how to live with it.

Posted by: Aklona | May 15, 2008 1:44:06 PM


Grasping for Straws in the Wind. There are so many things to fix to make this country better. We are wasting Billion$
on a God-forsaken WAR where Thousands of Americans have been Slaughtered and many more Thousands grotesquely maimed.
Yet we indulge in this luxury of name calling to no avail. Is there a SHRINK in the HOUSE?
The Fifth Arm of Government somtimes look under the Cow's Tail for work.

Posted by: Nosculpa | May 15, 2008 1:43:32 PM

If the worst thing he could do is call some one sweetie, then we've got it made! At least he's not asking her to make advances on his cigar!

Posted by: Cherie | May 15, 2008 1:42:15 PM

Seriously...you all (nearly all) sound like your 5 yelling at eachother on the playground. This is our future president. The REASON he is bringing change, it he is taking PRESIDENCY and GOVERNMENT down to the level of the PEOPLE, which it was designed for. He doens't WANT to be looked at as "KING" but rather a friend to the people BY THE PEOPLE, FOR THE PEOPLE. Not ABOVE, so stop saying he "should talk like a president". I'm sorry but if you recall Abe Lincoln? One of the most famous presidents? Lets think this through, he brings CHANGE because he wants to be on OUR level, not ABOVE everyone, not BETTER then everyone, just a "PLAIN" guy that you or I could talk to on the street and feel COMFORTABLE with, not someone who you feel like you should BOW DOWN TO. This is the change America wants, a president who can treat us like HUMANS, not PAWNS.

Lastly...did everyone NOT miss the fact that he apologized? That is exactly the thing we need to see in Government. Someone who can be called on something, and ADMIT IT, and not only admit it, but APOLOGIZE for it. Do you see that in Hillary? McCain? I don't think so. Just denial, and cover-up.

Bad Habit? Sure, he needs to be careful of all race, gender, ethnicity, backgrounds, but it was OBVIOUSLY a slip up, and he felt it appropriate to apologize. Give him credit that he knows he made a mistake, and he corrected it. "Let he who is without Sin cast the first stone" so go ahead..all you flame throwers..who can walk on water and calm the waves with your big keyboard talk. Think about the PLANK in your eye, before you point out the sliver in the man who is making a big sacrifice to open himself and his family to the public to become our next leader.

Posted by: CanWe GrowUp? | May 15, 2008 1:41:22 PM

Obama is a sexist and a separatist - no doubt about it. His airs of male entitlement are engrained in his personality - magnified by his contemptuous attitude toward the women in his family (the typical white women who sacrificed to give him everything he has today). Obama is pathetic and so is the DNC. First he insults working America, then he insults women globally - wow - I hope people are ready to learn Arabic!

Posted by: Gloria | May 15, 2008 1:39:58 PM

Got to say I'm thrilled with the responses. Virtually everyone is ready to revolt over the media behaving like little 3rd graders over every little irrelevancy.

And I'm so tempted to say something about how the quality of grammar and spelling (let alone just the general level of thinking) correlates with the various comments - but I won't...

Posted by: Going for it | May 15, 2008 1:39:37 PM

One of the things I like about visiting my relatives in Texas is how the sales people, waiters etc. call me "hon" or "sweetie". I'm over 60 and it makes me feel special, even though I know they say it to everyone. Although I think Obama needs to be cautious in professional settings, he has two young daughters and a wife whom he obviously adores, and probably callies them "sweetie" often. There is so little civility and endearment in our society, that this seems like a non-issue. People are dead and dying in China, Myanmar, Iraq, Afghanistan, Sudan and elsewhere. Let's focus on the important concerns!

Posted by: Carrie G. | May 15, 2008 1:36:13 PM

Obama is a creep. The truth started squeaking out too late - he already had too much momentum thanks to the media which held his hand the entire way.

But the truth about Obama will keep coming out for those of you too blinded by wishful zealotry to see it now.

He will not and should not win a general election. Meanwhile, we'll campaign vigorously for McCain if Obama is nominated. That goes the same if Clinton is VP. She should not be VP, but should and will run again in 4 years.

Posted by: what's what | May 15, 2008 1:33:59 PM

This is just silly. But, for the sake of politics, I suppose that it is a fine thing to try to blow this up into evidence of his misogyny. I suppose the habit of saying "sweetie" is an insurmountable sin when choosing a president. Much more important than policy.

But if you are going to focus on trivialities, don't ignore McCain's mile-a-minute gaffe-a-thon campaign. Don't ignore the fact that Hillary has chosen to hitch her fortunes to a man who shagged his intern. Let's spread the BS around equally.

If that doesn't sound reasonable, then let's just get back to what really matters: Let's elect a President who can turn this country around.

Posted by: BT | May 15, 2008 1:30:27 PM

jgaw... i can NOT believe you are telling us all that Barack using the word Sweetie is some how related to the "Jim Crow South". I was born in Texas and I can tell you that we all use the terms of ENDEARMENT "sweetie, hun, bud.. etc." to EVERYONE. I can't express to you how upset you just made me. Do NOT put words into his mouth.

Posted by: matt | May 15, 2008 1:29:57 PM

jim wrote: "He is the most condesending candidate in my lifetime. How very sad that he could belittle a professional reporter like that. I pray that Senator Clinton runs as an independent."

I agree wholeheartedly. As to Hillary running as an independent, she won't, but I'm writing her in if the Dems are crazy enough to run a Chicago radical as their nominee. Obama is probably the only Dem you could lose with this year. Even Nancy Pelosi isn't this radical.

Nope, I take it back. Ayers would lose also. But is he a Dem, a Marxist, or a Liberationist? Obama is all of the above.

Dems have some kind of compulsion to run the most far left person they can get through the primaries and lose to the Republicans every time. They used to try to convert the rest of us to San Francisco/Boston liberalism, and now Chicago radicals.

What a bunch of losers. I hope there's enough moderate to conservative super delegates to see that Obama will take this ship down again, ala Mondale, Dukakis, and all the rest of the farthest left nominees the Dems could come up with.

Give us a chance to win in swing states this year, supers.

Hillary '08

Posted by: rd | May 15, 2008 1:29:52 PM

Thanks for showing that conservatives have nothing better to complain about than the use of a word and tobaaco usage. If that's the best you can come up with, I'd say we call it now.

Posted by: Anastasia | May 15, 2008 1:29:20 PM

Hey Klein, maybe the tabloid/gossip format is a little more fitting for your caliber of "reporting". I see it now for the next 2 weeks, "The Sweetie Issue"... Once again, the drama queens of the media may or may not be biased, but there is no mistaking that many of them are LAZY.

Posted by: twoodburn | May 15, 2008 1:28:40 PM

This will be the last post I make on this comments page because I have lost all respect for this forum. There is absolutely nothing in this article that is relevant to the vastly more important issues this country is facing, and it only reinforces my belief in progressivism as a vehicle to change the special interest of corporate media. Shame on you Tapper for allowing this kind of empty reporting. I used to respect you, but your complicity is cowardice.

Posted by: Joseph from Santa Fe | May 15, 2008 1:24:27 PM

uhhh...excuse me? Are we actually lambasting a man for calling a woman "sweetie"?? Hmm, I think we should be worrying about more substantive things like education, economics, etc.

Posted by: Louis | May 15, 2008 1:23:17 PM

I'm a recent transplant to Chicago and recall being a bit surprised to hear "sweetie" used fairly commonly here. It's definitely a regional thing, and I've learned that it doesn't carry the connotations here that it might in, for example, New York.

Posted by: Joseph | May 15, 2008 1:22:43 PM

Why did anyone make an issue out of this to begin with? Pepole do this all the time...are you that hard up for something to write about? Get a life.

Posted by: Mobileone | May 15, 2008 1:22:01 PM

I find called an adult unprofessional and further find it offensive.

Posted by: mistybelle64 | May 15, 2008 1:21:07 PM

Looks like a lot of folks posting here don't live in the midwest where business speech for women in service staff jobs is to call everyone "Sweetie," "Hon," and/or "Dear". It's wide spread and I dislike it. I treat those as private terms of endearment and I cringe when I hear them. I'd love to say, "I ain't your Hon," But that'd come off as ... elitist.

Posted by: Harrison | May 15, 2008 1:20:46 PM

He STILL didn't answer the question! Answering her original question would have been the only acceptable response to show he was not just brushing off just another 'Sweetie'.

Posted by: AB | May 15, 2008 1:20:09 PM

It was unprofessional and dismissive - hardly the behavior of someone I would want to be our President.

It should be reported - we need to hear it all - even those things too subtle for most to understand.

Posted by: Tom | May 15, 2008 1:17:49 PM

Isabel...you are too funny....:)

Posted by: cindyct | May 15, 2008 1:17:48 PM

Seriously? Why is this news? Who cares about things like this? My co-workers call me all sorts of names similar to sweetie and I'm not running to HR.

Posted by: Christina | May 15, 2008 1:17:16 PM

I would find being called "sweetie" by Obama offensive and not very professional. Makes my skin crawl.

Posted by: mistybelle64 | May 15, 2008 1:16:58 PM

I am a liberal, feminist, Southern female who has called others sweetie and doesn't take offense at being referred to as such. Maybe it is, as the lady from Texas said, a cultural thing. I've never heard of that term being considered "condescending" or "disrespectful."

As a woman, I also think that you can tell the difference between someone who calls you a name like that because they're friendly and affectionate and someone who is trying to cut you down. It does not *automatically* mean something negative. The comparison to calling Obama "boy" is not accurate -- there is no other way to interpret that. And before anyone suggests that could be a "cultural difference" as well, let me just say that in the South that would be just as unacceptable as it would anywhere else to the vast majority of people.

Would I be pissed if someone I didn't know personally called me "babe?" Absolutely. But I don't think "sweetie" is the same thing. As a young professional, I take much more offense to being called "kiddo," which I get all the time and no one seems to think there's anything wrong with that.

But not everyone is the same, and obviously some people find the term offensive. In that case, what would be the right solution? Apologizing to the person you inadvertently offended. Which he did. And yes, sometimes people get offended by things unnecessarily, and sometimes a person's meaning is misunderstood.

Who was it that got so upset about Obama saying rural, working-class people are bitter? Was it the rural, working-class people? I don't think so, because I am one, and I know plenty, and guess what? WE ARE BITTER.

Why are we still talking about meaningless things like this? Because the media can't find anything worse to say about him, and corporate media essentially controls the sheep herding in politics in this country. God forbid we focus on the nation's real problems.

Heads. In. The. Sand.

Posted by: Sweetie | May 15, 2008 1:16:29 PM

These people who are griping about the reporter being called "sweetie" were, I'm sure, just mad because no one ever called them sweetie. And most certainly they would never have voted for Obama in the first place.

Posted by: rhbate | May 15, 2008 1:15:42 PM

I'm from Detroit. This was not some pretty, little, blond reporter. Peggy Agar probably hasn't had a guy call her sweetie in years. Obama deserves a medal for the compliment. Get off his back.

Posted by: Isabel O'Brien | May 15, 2008 1:15:12 PM

Let the journalist look into how many time the "other" candidate has used the word "honey". I agree it's not professional, but not much of this political fight has been.

Posted by: sher | May 15, 2008 1:13:52 PM

Let the journalist look into how many time the "other" candidate has used the word "honey". I agree it's not professional, but not much of this political fight has been.

Posted by: sher | May 15, 2008 1:13:42 PM

MAY 15, 2008

FOUR MORE SUPER DELEGATES FOR OBAMA

Posted by: rhbate | May 15, 2008 1:13:25 PM

It was unprofessional and dismissive - hardly the behavior of someone I would want to be our President.

It should be reported - we need to hear it all - even those things too subtle for most to understand.

Posted by: Tom | May 15, 2008 1:13:04 PM

Megan...Obama was in the Senate in Il when the Clinton impeachment went down. He was busy representing his district at the state level, expanding health care for the poor, extending programs for early childhood development and getting an earned income credit bill through for his constituants.

Posted by: cindyct | May 15, 2008 1:10:44 PM

Called her sweetee what is next darling. Too bad Bush can't run for a third term. This along with all the other BS the press concerns and the american people concern themselves with should help to put McCain in office. ALL hail McCain.

Posted by: H C | May 15, 2008 1:10:20 PM

Could you imagine if a Republican called a reporter "sweetie?" Wow

Posted by: Mike | May 15, 2008 1:09:30 PM

Hmmm, don't come to Texas. If you're not called "sweetie" or some other term of endearment within 30 minutes, then there is something drastically wrong with you.

Posted by: willy | May 15, 2008 1:09:30 PM

There's a war going on, the economy is tanking and this report felt it necessary to write about a candidate using the word "sweetie"?

What's wrong with the US media?

Posted by: sally | May 15, 2008 1:05:44 PM

Is this what we're talking about now? I mean seriously. Is it politically correct? No. Is it a cardinal sin? It's not like he had an affair with an intern.

Posted by: James | May 15, 2008 1:04:22 PM

So? I call people sweetie all the time, provided they look good of course. I will take that as a subconscious compliment that the woman looks good.

Posted by: BoB | May 15, 2008 1:03:52 PM

This is NEWS??! Klein better repeat his high school journalism class. ABC (the Almost Broadcasting Company) appears desperate...

Posted by: ArchiesBoy | May 15, 2008 1:02:25 PM

And this is news??
Think about going back to journalism school.

Posted by: willy | May 15, 2008 1:00:15 PM

Mona wrote:

Obama was being his usual chauvinistic, elitist self belittling that reporter, End of story.

--------------
QUESTION FOR YA MONA, back in the day, were you out there protesting against Bill Clinton (who President Hillary supports) for SEXUAL ABUSE against women?!

I think we all know the answer...

Posted by: Megan | May 15, 2008 12:58:34 PM

latte Dems...So well said!

Posted by: Yeah | May 15, 2008 12:57:20 PM

"Sweetie" is an entirely inappropriate way to address someone in a professional environment, especially someone you do not know at all."

What does this mean?

This is totally ridiculous. For years, I watched my father at work, and he would call female customers "honey" or "sweetie". He would also do this sometimes when he was placing an order on the phone, or talking to customers on the phone. We live in the South, (New Orleans) and its part of the way my father was raised. IN NO WAY was my father EVER being sexist, and the women on the receiving end never saw it that way. Get a life people! Nowadays everyone is looking to find something offensive. Maybe you need to spend more time focusing on bettering yourself, before worrying about trivial stuff like this! OR are you perfect? By the way, I am actually a McCain supporter, so in no way is this just backing my candidate. Its about common sense, people!!

Posted by: RobertM | May 15, 2008 12:56:50 PM

typical doublestandard from obama supporters. They jump like vultures on HIllary's nothing Bosnia comment ("oh wait, that's different"), but when it comes to obama, "let's talk about issues"! Well, this is an issue, because it reveals an underlying problem....arrogance, elitist. Not to mention that Richardson on CNN said that HIllary can be useful as a "SECRETARY of state or cabinet position". So , that's it, right? Women have taken a back seat to men for centuries, and now the woman candidate, the "SWEETIE", has to take a back seat to the arrogant, pompous, less expereince, corrupt Obama? Is that the way you want the world to run, women? Are you so enthralled with Obama, that you will always play second fiddle to men? Then don't complain when your male colleagues get promoted and you stay in your crappy job. STOP ignoring these things with Obama, it all represents signs of a dangerous liar. And by the way, you missed the point of the article, it wasn't just the "sweetie", but the complete lack of media access. Obama can only talk when he has a speech writer or teleprompter. When presented ad lib, he comes off as a buffoon, his real self.

Posted by: doublestandard | May 15, 2008 12:55:56 PM

latteDems,
Great post. Thanks for putting it in context. To professional females "sweetie" is the equivalent to a Black man being called "Boy".

Posted by: Get Real | May 15, 2008 12:55:10 PM

Are you serious? Do you actually think those of us who can't put food on the table for our children or gas in our cars are really interested in this sort of reporting? You really ought to be ashamed to call yourself a journalist -- because I am.

Posted by: Dianna McCarroll | May 15, 2008 12:54:54 PM

I can't count the number of times I have heard Hillary use the terms girlfriend, honey, etc. during her campaign stops.

Here are some Hillary quotes that might seem sexist:

"I suppose I could have stayed home and baked cookies and had tea..."

"If I want to knock a story off the front page, I just change my hairstyle"

"Who is going to find out? These women are trash. Nobody’s going to believe them." - on Bill's affairs

"If I didn’t kick his ass every day, he wouldn’t be worth anything." –on Bill Clinton

Ok, that last one makes perfect sense.


Posted by: Nelson | May 15, 2008 12:54:30 PM

I can't believe people are making such a big deal over "Sweetie." Get over it, people.

Posted by: Anja | May 15, 2008 12:54:24 PM

Can't wait until McCain's well-documented temper comes out.

Posted by: Megan | May 15, 2008 12:54:23 PM

Must have been a light day in your editorial office. Please find something more worthwhile to report about next time.

Posted by: nas8888 | May 15, 2008 12:53:24 PM

The question no one is asking...what does Obama girl think?

Posted by: pembleton | May 15, 2008 12:52:37 PM

To those complaining that the media isn't covering significant issues:

Maybe if Sen. Obama gave substantial answers, they'd actually have something significant to cover. If you noticed, he was evasive here (as usual) and completely dodged a relevant question.

Posted by: jd | May 15, 2008 12:52:30 PM

I'm going to go to the Onion now. They're reporting is just as ridiculous as the tripe I just read but at least it's funny.

Posted by: BWarkow | May 15, 2008 12:52:06 PM

This is ridiculous, do Obama supporters waste such effort bashing Clinton? No, generally not, though I imagine you hypersensitive folk can find some examples. There's the old saying, if you are looking for a slander you will find one. The question is, why are you folks all looking for a slander? The Clinton campaign should be proud off itself for doing such a fine job, not harboring emotional problems! Please stop trying to convince me that you are emotionally screwed up, I don't want to believe it, you're supposed to be our allies.
As for the Jim Crow comment, nice try but ad probably true but maybe not completely fair. I've worked for years in African-American neighborhoods in Southside Chicago (where the Obamas live BTW) and in Virginia. I worked at the same hospital as Miichelle Obama, don't know her personally. And I, a white male, have been called sweetie so many times you'd think it was my middle name. In a professional setting too! Sometimes the term actually denotes interpersonal comfort. It has slipped out of my own mouth more than once, and I try to avoid it generally less I be misunderstood. God help if you if a white woman who iis unfamiliar with this useage hears you saying this word! I think Obama was right too apologize and should take care to avoid this term outside his own neighborhood. But I also think Clinton supporters need to get a little friendlier. Your sweetie, ZPAX

Posted by: zpax | May 15, 2008 12:52:04 PM

Fact is Obama is arrogant. Just like Bush. Ya'll want more of the same...well that's what you're going to get.

Posted by: Eric | May 15, 2008 12:51:56 PM

He is the most condesending candidate in my lifetime. How very sad that he could belittle a professional reporter like that. I pray that Senator Clinton runs as an independent.

Posted by: jim | May 15, 2008 12:51:49 PM

Obama was being his usual chauvinistic, elitist self belittling that reporter, End of story. However the bigger picture here is the fact that he can't just answer the question unless its some arranged set up question and answer session. It's the same way he can never win a debate against Senator Clinton. And this is the idiot you want to be the president of the United States. Democrats are so inlove with the idea of "Obama" no body can see he has NO idea (period)

President Hillary 08

Posted by: mona | May 15, 2008 12:50:29 PM

What do you expect? The man lives alone with three women. I'm pretty sure there was no offense intened or implied on any level. And the people that will hold this against Sen. Obama are the people that are so against him anyway that they jump on any chance to point a finger.

Posted by: jbdsm | May 15, 2008 12:50:16 PM

Don't you think it's about time we stopped drinking the Kool-Aid? Not the first revealing gaffe he's made. Guy has a lot of baggage and no experience. Not good.
But then, I'm just "a typical white person" as Obama says.

Time we got real here, running the most significant free world country is no trivial task and certainly not the place for a PC giveaway.

Posted by: Keith | May 15, 2008 12:49:29 PM

I guess ABC new thought that a long as HRC was on a "ride' and Obama looked bad they didn't need to run any storys about him, but after Edwards announced he supported him ABC has at least three articles about him...WOW how once sided is that....they couldn't even say thet Edwards "nod" might help him they said it means nothing....which their point of view means,NOTHING

Posted by: fomerhillary | May 15, 2008 12:48:58 PM

"Sweetie" is a derivative of "sweet," as in "nice." So how is this a slur? I call people sweetie all the time. It's just a term of endearment. I call my wife sweetie. Does that mean I don't respect her?

Also, I really doubt Angela Merkel would find being called "Sweetie" less offensive than W spontaneously trying to give her a back-rub. That was just creepy.

Honestly, if Hillary called a guy "dude" or "stud," I really wouldn't care either. In fact, I think her referring to some guy as a "stud" would humanize her a bit. Unfortunately, McCain's chosen "term of endearment" does not quite have the same effect.

Also, I am pretty sure Tony just made up his own story about Obama. I'm sure that will appear in the next edition of Political Punch.

Posted by: Craig | May 15, 2008 12:48:40 PM

Bravo for this article. Thank you, thank you.

This was a revealing and important moment. Every time Obama has spontaneously communicated, he has shown himself to be sexist, elitist, ignorant. This is why he only has staged press conferences.

We cannot believe the ignorance and hypocrisy of people commenting here.

"Sweetie" is an entirely inappropriate way to address someone in a professional environment, especially someone you do not know at all.

If a candidate referred to a black reporter as "boy," you'd all be going bonkers over it.

This is not the first time Obama has revealed sexist tendencies. And his answer is even worse - it's a habit???

The article is not "biased." It is blissfully factual. Obama never made good on his promise to speak with the reporter. He knew full well what he was doing. He has no answer, no plan. He hopes to keep coasting long enough on charm before anyone wakes up to the fact that he doesn't know what he's doing.

He thinks he's a rock star who can flash his smile, call the female reporter "sweetie," and she'll swoon and go away.

She was asking a highly relevant question. Obama's camp is nervous because they have no plan for the working class.

We're his demographic - liberal "latte" Dem.s and we do not trust him.

Something isn't right about Obama. He's a marketing creation shrewdly designed to target the aching need this country has to get out of the dark Bush years, so you all hysterically and irrationally defend him because you want the fantasy to be true.

Posted by: latte Dems | May 15, 2008 12:48:15 PM

Well that settles it he is not fit to be President....he called her sweetie.
That will win him the Pulitzer.

Posted by: Frank | May 15, 2008 12:48:03 PM

This morning when I picked up a coffee at the convenience store the woman behind the counter said, "Have a good day sweetie!" I didn't realize how offended I was supposed to be. I can tell you, I'm going to go back later and demand that she be fired for such horrific behavior.

Sigh. So sad that this is what passes for journalism these days.

BTW, for all of you whining that Obama is getting a free pass... you JUST read a story on a MAJOR NETWORK website about this non-story. WHAT MORE DO YOU WANT?!?! If the rest of the public decides (rightfully so) that this is unimportant garbage, maybe you should take the hint.

Posted by: Bill | May 15, 2008 12:47:53 PM

Why not try covering something important to the country - like the ISSUES.

Posted by: Bill | May 15, 2008 12:47:07 PM

I'm a woman, and when I've been busy and distracted, I've twice called my (male) boss 'honey' ( I apologized too!) I respect and think highly of my boss- I would never do anything to offend or belittle him. But, If this is a term you use often with loved ones, it can happen that you use it out of context. Not recommended, but certainly not offensive!

Posted by: katharine | May 15, 2008 12:47:02 PM

Oh come one, women in the workplace know when a man calls you "sweetie" or "honey", it's a put down. I hope Obama didn't mean it that way, but things like this won't help him appeal to Hillary's voters.

Posted by: A reader in Georgia | May 15, 2008 12:46:43 PM

Wow, you all need to grow up. I have never even heard of someone being offended by being called sweetie. If any of you have ever taken a communications class in college you would know, the word doesnt matter, its the tone. None of use know the tone he was using. He probably was not using it in a condescending manner. The people writing in this discussion just make me really sad. It shows me that racism still truly exists in this country. People jump all over Obama for EVERYTHING. How about Hillary suggesting that only white people are hard workers, or her husband cursing on the radio? You dont see people jumping all over her for that. We over analyze everything that he does as some character issues. WV proved it, racism still exists and it is a major factor in some of your opinions. Some of you people just need to grow up and stop acting like children. If you have an opinion, prove your point with facts. Don't just say that he is elitist, condescending, or sexist. The elitism claim is garbage, I know plenty of people who feel disenfranchised by the government and cling to guns and religion. Many people agree with that comment. The claim that he is sexist is also ridiculous. I read in another post that he said, "Hillary periodically feels rundown..." or something like that and people equated that to sexism? How? People read way too much into what he is saying and the only explanation i can come up with for that is racism. Some of you just tear him apart for everything because if you supported him you would be admitting that a black person is on the same level as you. That scares some people and its extremely sad. Grow up, look at the real issues. I do not know who I am going to vote for, but I know this: people in this country and on this board make me embarrassed to be an American.

Posted by: Tom | May 15, 2008 12:46:15 PM

For me, he represents the worst combination of characteristics in a person, man or woman-supreme arrogance with very little justification. He may make a thrill go up Chris Matthew's leg. He just makes me want to cross mine.

Posted by: KLT | May 15, 2008 12:45:57 PM

L.O.L. ;) The more you attack Barack with petty Sticks and Stones,the more his support grows!!! Senator Barack Obama!!! VISIONARY..HE IS AN AMERI-CAN NOT AN AMERI_CAN'T!!!!!

Posted by: mike | May 15, 2008 12:45:18 PM

I have gone into stores, various business and had the workers call me sweetie many times.

I am so turned off by this mud slinging of the potential people running for office, this is one pending election that I do not know who to vote for. Our society has gone from a country that once were able to select a president, to one who slings mud left and right...never looking at the big picture; Who can run this country effectively?

Posted by: mary lecomte | May 15, 2008 12:44:32 PM

Cant stand that man.

Posted by: andrea | May 15, 2008 12:44:24 PM

"It's not a slur, but in a professional setting? I'm fairly certain that Obama would flunk basic corporate training if he used a term like that to refer to a female colleague."

Thankfully, Obama is no corporate whore. SO what's the big deal?

Posted by: LH | May 15, 2008 12:44:08 PM

Well Bless his heart

(sweet southern code words for: He's so stupid)

Posted by: Smith | May 15, 2008 12:43:48 PM

It is obvious the sweetie is a typical white person clinging to her guns and bible and unable to recognize the messiah. She will be accused of being an uneducated white person with deep seated issues and unable to recognize greatness. How dare she asks specifics about union issues -- Obama promises change and that should be sufficient. I think the reporter should be bought up on hate crime charges immediately.

Posted by: Karen | May 15, 2008 12:43:46 PM

Obama is not a sexist, nor is he a racist.

Posted by: LA in Indiana | May 15, 2008 12:42:19 PM

You have got to be joking. Are we really so desperate for news and gaffs? Is calling a woman "sweetie" in a professional environment a good idea? Eh, in the north it probably is not. In the south I doubt anyone would even notice. Either way, even in the most fanatically PC of work places this "gaff" we get you nothing worse verbal reminder.

Taking a step back, this is just silly. "Sweetie" "honnie" and "buddy" are how normal humans talk. God forbid in a moment of weakness Obama replied to a casual question in a less than perfectly formal manner.

Look, I don't really like Obama and will not vote for the guy. That said, I find this kind of coverage pathetic and indicative of a sadly dysfunctional and utterly worthless media. I can dislike Obama for solid substantive reasons and still find this kind of "gotch ya!" reporting disgusting. There are a lot of reasons to not vote for Obama. The fact that one time he called a reporter "sweetie" is not one of them. Report on his crappy economic policies, his inexperience, his amazingly dumb foreign policy proposals or whatever, but please spare us this worthless junk reporting. I hate this guy’s policies and I still find this kind of reporting pathetic.

We have around 50,000 dead in China, and hundreds of thousands dead in Burma, fighting in Zimbabwe, a war in Iraq, economic troubles at home, a presidential race with substantive issues, real and pressing policy concerns… and some how Obama saying “sweetie” (which is roughly the least offensive word I can think of) is news? Journalism just gets lazier and less substantive by the day.

Posted by: Jonny B | May 15, 2008 12:42:04 PM

Poeple, move on, he didn't mean it..

He never meaned anything what he said from day one, so move on..

Posted by: True Truth | May 15, 2008 12:41:55 PM

Jake--
McCain has open "access" to inane questions. The media never bothers to print and broadcast stories about his actual answers and flip-flopping.

Posted by: Jimmie Smith | May 15, 2008 12:41:46 PM

Wow, you all need to grow up. I have never even heard of someone being offended by being called sweetie. If any of you have ever taken a communications class in college you would know, the word doesnt matter, its the tone. None of use know the tone he was using. He probably was not using it in a condescending manner. The people writing in this discussion just make me really sad. It shows me that racism still truly exists in this country. People jump all over Obama for EVERYTHING. How about Hillary suggesting that white people are hard workers, or her husband cursing on the radio? You dont see people jumping all over her for that. Some of you people just need to grow up and stop acting like children.

Posted by: Tom | May 15, 2008 12:41:01 PM

If this is much ado about nothing, then why are so many Obama backers going ballistic because Rick dared to report it?

Posted by: HoosierSue | May 15, 2008 12:40:35 PM

Call me when he has relations with an intern.... in the meantime, is this article a joke? For the love of God, get a grip and focus on the things that are important.

Posted by: Barb | May 15, 2008 12:40:13 PM

Wow, that's really important and could have a great impact on our country's direction.

Riveting news. Glad you shed the light on this one. Wow, and to think I might not have ever known this.

All I can say is get a grip sweetue!!!!

Posted by: Bumps | May 15, 2008 12:40:01 PM

"...need to come visit the south. Everyone calls everyone sweetie, no matter what their gender."

Ummm... no. Terms of endearment like 'buddy' are common but a man calling another man 'sweetie' would be in some trouble. A man calling the wrong woman 'sweetie' might be in trouble. It depends on the woman.

In the white collar workplace, it is considered unacceptable because of the mixed cultures. It is common among Southerners but the South is a very mixed bag so the pressure to get rid of 'southernisms' is intense. I've never heard of anyone being fired for it. Just reprimanded. Outside the office, it is as common as red clay.

Posted by: len | May 15, 2008 12:39:46 PM

I think we should drop all this P.C. bull... so what, a female was called 'sweetie'. I'm a guy and have been called 'honey' and 'suger' by strangers... whooptie dooo. Anyone who takes such a phrase to heart has more internal issues than the person making the 'slur'. We shouldn't take humanity out of conversation. Deal with it.

Posted by: Tim | May 15, 2008 12:39:27 PM

Cover substantive topics, please. "Sweetie" was hardly a term of disparagement. He used a colloquialism in a situation that didn't warrant it and if this is what the corporate media is going to push as an issue then I'm more than happy to continue not paying $50/month for television service that lies to me and diverts my attention to empty calorie issues.

Posted by: Jeremy Wagner | May 15, 2008 12:39:15 PM

As a Southerner, a polite person, and a professional woman secure in my ability to perform my job well, I have no qualm with a man calling me sweetie. I have worked with men who have called me 'darlin' and men who have called me worse. I'll take 'darlin' anyday!

Focus on the issues, folks!!!

Posted by: VA Girl | May 15, 2008 12:39:07 PM

The word sweetie didn't seem that big a deal - I call people hon all the time - but Senator O's smirk to "the guys" with him after he said it - who smirked back and chuckled - did seem like sexist "I'm just one of the guys" posturing to me.

Posted by: Catttt | May 15, 2008 12:38:29 PM

I am not concerned about him calling someone sweetie as I am concerned he never answers questions. His speeches are all well written and rehearsed so he comes off elequent and intelligent but when it comes to speaking off the top of his head he stammers and stumbles and cannot put a train of thought together. He always speaks of Change and Hope, well I hope the change he speaks of is for the better and not for the worse.

Posted by: MarkA | May 15, 2008 12:38:17 PM

hmmmm I bet he calls both his daughters 'sweetie' as well...

nothing to see here, keep it movin' folks

Posted by: LA in Indiana | May 15, 2008 12:37:51 PM

OMG!! Maybe its time to "get a life".
Is this newsworhy? Are we quaking in our boots because the next president may call someone "sweetie" ?
What the hecks this world coming to?
Maybe the next time he might call someone "honeybuns".
The Horror....the Horror....

Posted by: caloy | May 15, 2008 12:37:45 PM

This is a big deal. It tells you everything you need to know about Obama.Before you vote think about it hard since it matters alot.

Give me a break and/or get a life.

Shame on you for wasting my time.

Posted by: fooled_once | May 15, 2008 12:37:20 PM

John Elias,

1. His economy will increase huge tax for your and no way to solve national debts
2. His new foriegn policy is to negotiate terrorists just his advisor has been talking to Hamas,
3. His plan on War is to keep War on Iraq as long as possible - no concrete strategy to end it

Like more?

Posted by: True Truth | May 15, 2008 12:37:15 PM

On a more serious tone, why should Obama ever give an interview from anyone from ABC News? Look at the issues you want to discuss. Lapel pins, what he does during the pledge of allegiance, what Bible he uses, habitual use of terms of endearment...

Once, shortly after speaking to my wife by phone, I got a quick phone call from my boss, whom I promptly addressed as "Babe". He understood, and then proceeded to say "Honey, get back to work". ABC News, I will give you the exclusive on that one.

Posted by: Nelson | May 15, 2008 12:36:55 PM

Absolute sexism. If another candidate especially a Clinton,said *boy* or similar to a black man they would have to drop out of the race. Why are we giving this guy a free pass???

Posted by: Ken | May 15, 2008 12:36:24 PM

Wow. Some people really like to make story out of anything.... and stop acting as if you know him, Hilary or McCain personally because in the end whatever you say about them reflects more about yourself than these politicians.

Either way, nothing really is going to get better, same story, same politics, just a different face attached to them.

Posted by: jam | May 15, 2008 12:36:14 PM

I cannot think of anything more condescending than this.
This from a guy that is suppose to be supportive of women in leadership? Sure.
It's the same old stuff. And this is why Hillary is still the best candidate tto take back the White House. Obama
is not what he seems.

Pathetic.

Posted by: Lisa | May 15, 2008 12:36:10 PM

Crazy, sick, racist, lonely women, and their leashed husbands, that's all I have to say, and my wife agrees. We don't even really like Obama, but you psychos make him seem like god's savior! The "sewwtie" remark would only have worked if it spoke for itself, not if it's the very foundation for why he is

" a joke and will be a disaster. Anyone with half a brain can see this..."

You just sold me, Obama 08!

Posted by: wow | May 15, 2008 12:35:17 PM

...yawn...

Posted by: Dee | May 15, 2008 12:35:14 PM

This article was a waste of my last 3 minutes. 3 minutes that I will never get back.

Posted by: jeff | May 15, 2008 12:35:09 PM

I love it. Senator Obama's supporters can never take even the slightest bit of criticism of their leader. However, had Senator CLinto called a male reporter "stud" I can only imagine the angry, pitch-forked mob calling for her head.

Posted by: Paul | May 15, 2008 12:35:06 PM

Look at the video - Obama was being extremely rude.

Posted by: _Christopher | May 15, 2008 12:34:25 PM

Ok, Sweeties, while you're all fired up and offended let me just slip by you that we're gonna be in Iraq til at least 2013.

Posted by: Beave | May 15, 2008 12:34:02 PM

WOW!!! HE USED THE WORD SWEETIE! THE WORLD IS GONNA END NOW. WHAT A DUMB, WASTED REPORT.

Posted by: Tony | May 15, 2008 12:32:55 PM

Embarrassing enough that this should be published in the first place. Even more embarrassing that it's currently a featured story on Google News.

This column is called "Political Punch." If "punch" refers to the drink, well Jake Tapper is no doubt indulging in the same elixir of distortion that the American news media requires of seemingly all its members. And if "punch" refers to a blow, I offer a proverbial punch to him and the Fourth Estate for propagating this kind of nonsense.

Posted by: Sean | May 15, 2008 12:32:24 PM

come on do some real reporting... if you can find anything useful to write take a vacation.

Posted by: John Doe | May 15, 2008 12:31:41 PM

Are you kidding me?......Is this what ABC is reporting now?? It's bad enough we had to watch the sham of a debate....Come on all ready, you should really start reporting "real news". NO ONE CARES.

Posted by: goldstalon | May 15, 2008 12:31:39 PM

Do you really have nothing better to do?

Posted by: Tom | May 15, 2008 12:31:25 PM

'John Mcain loves America...he gives flowers to puppies and candy to bunnyrabbits...BARRAK OBAMA HAD THE NERVE TO CALL A WOMAN SWEETIE ..HOW CAN HE RULE AMERICA WITH AN ATTITUDE LIKE THAT?.." are you kidding me America..This is what we want.. this level of discourse.. Bush was not evil he was all we as citizens deserved..until we raise the bar we will continue to swirl our futures down the toilet

Posted by: cm grigg | May 15, 2008 12:31:16 PM

Utter nonsense. Mustthe media microanalyze everything the candidates do? What next? Examine if they leave the seat up or down? You guys are pathetic.

Posted by: Hiroshi | May 15, 2008 12:31:13 PM

If Hillary called a male reporter "dude" or "boy" or "sonny" what do you think the response would be?

She would be absolutely crucified !!!

This remark is a barometer for a deep-seated disrespect for women. Keep an eye out, he is very dismissive of women. No wonder Michelle has a perpetual scowl on her face.

Posted by: Jill Elliott | May 15, 2008 12:31:10 PM

And we know that the press like to shout questions and generally try to get candidates agitated on purpose, in the hopes that the candidate will do or say anything "newsworthy" like act like a normal human being who gets stressed out by constant heckling from reporters. They're all salivating for any slip of the tongue in order to get a scoop on nonsense that has nothing to do with the real problems in this country. Reporters' reputations are sinking down to used car salesmen territory.

Posted by: tvegabyrnes | May 15, 2008 12:30:33 PM

I say ABC News should have George Spephanopoulos host the next debate and spend a good 30 to 40 minutes getting to the bottom of that critical issue. Don't forget your lapel pin this time, George.

Posted by: Nelson | May 15, 2008 12:30:32 PM

Dear god, someone was called "sweetie"! Surely this is more substantive than the War in Iraq or the AIDS crisis in Africa or even the housing crisis!

Someone please do something, we can't have people going around using the term sweetie!

Oh Mainstream Media, thank you for telling us the IMPORTANT information like this and Miley Cyrus! Where would we be without you?

Posted by: Andrew | May 15, 2008 12:29:56 PM

People, Obama said he didn't mean it, so don't take it serious at all just like he did from day one - he didn't mean it!

Posted by: True Truth | May 15, 2008 12:29:26 PM

Barack Hussein Obama should be given a pass on this one, it's only fair since he get a pass on everything else. Maybe he just wants to relate better with the uneducated white voter. Sweetie, Honey, Baby, Sugar, these words don't really mean anything anyhow. Women are totally OK with being called these things at work and in public. It makes them feel great.

Posted by: alan tagle | May 15, 2008 12:26:49 PM

This man is a joke and will be a disaster. Anyone with half a brain can see this...

Posted by: Mark | May 15, 2008 12:26:08 PM

He called her sweetie? OMG we'd better turn the nomination over to Clinton.

If this worthless piece of garbage reporting is the worst you can find on Obama then I'd say he is in pretty good shape.

Posted by: jr | May 15, 2008 12:25:50 PM

This is pretty important stuff. Forget about the lives and dollars squandered in Iraq, just worry about reporters' needs and egos. The press now reports more on itself than about what concerns the rest of us.

Posted by: tvegabyrnes | May 15, 2008 12:25:38 PM

Sweetie in a causal setting is okay but in a professional setting is just plain demeaning. Personally, I think she should have responded, "Okay sweet cheeks, I'll catch you then." Maybe he would get the hint. I had to do something similar with a man from upper management that I had repeatedly tried to correct and wasn't getting anywhere. It seemed to work. He never called me dear again.

Posted by: catherine | May 15, 2008 12:24:36 PM

jodi,
i live in the south.born and raised. african american
and i'll tell you,
everytime someone calls me hon, or sweetie, i cringe.
obama should not use it and
it should be stopped in the south also.

Posted by: jgaw | May 15, 2008 12:24:03 PM

You know it amazes me how people try to constantly find some kind of error in whatever he speaks. Something as childish as a "SWEETIE STATEMENT" is just too much for my mind to take today. Oh my God! I end my statements just like one of the ladies above mentioned by saying, "talk with you later sweetie, how are your doing sweetie, yes sweetie,... give it a break. It is not that serious. If the reporter took it personally then she needs to get in another field of work. She will be dealing with all kinds of personalities etc in her field so get over it! So yes I also agree .. .how old are we?! Please!!!! Stop judging so harshly and focus on the topics at hand.

Posted by: Charlese Nolley | May 15, 2008 12:23:45 PM

Wow, that's really important and could have a great impact on our country's direction.

Riveting news.

Posted by: Troy | May 15, 2008 12:23:40 PM

1exnewyorker said it best.

Quit the HEN PICKING! This is just as offensive to me as a woman.

Posted by: Linda | May 15, 2008 12:21:56 PM

jgaw and all Obama haters:

Well, you can call him and his supporters names (btw I am not one of them), but the reality is, he is likely our next president. So live with him and start focusing on the issues, otherwise you are just telling us how pathetic your life is by lingering here on this petty issue!

Posted by: 2rocker | May 15, 2008 12:21:37 PM

Mike

I am pretty sure McCain has said this. i know he calls people cute names all the time. It was stupid.

...what's more stupid is any big discussion of it after he acknowledged the mistake...

you know ackowledging mistakes... it's a new concept in politicians.

Posted by: dl | May 15, 2008 12:20:24 PM

I can't stand the man, but this is ridiculous. How is that sexist and demeaning? Y'all need to come visit the south. Everyone calls everyone sweetie, no matter what their gender.

Posted by: jodi | May 15, 2008 12:19:41 PM

Rick's thread here is very much like Jake's back in February. Get a grip. Obama needs to clean up his speech. Remember, "Words, just words."

Posted by: countallthevotes | May 15, 2008 12:19:30 PM

This is just another example of Obama having no respect for people he see's as below him.
Good job my party, you are propping up a fool.

Posted by: Teresa | May 15, 2008 12:18:56 PM

you obama supporters saying this is alright, that he called her sweetie, didn't answer her question, said he was sorry, and still didn't answer the question.
if you do not see anything wrong with any of that.

you all must be barking mad from drinking in the obama-ade.

you all will pull at anything to defend this man.
i guess if obama were on parole you would still be singing his praises and running to support him.

Posted by: jgaw | May 15, 2008 12:18:49 PM

I guess I am a different woman than the blogger type that are just trolling for Hillary. Where I live "sweetie" is used as a respectfull greeting just as buddy is. I also applaud Obama for his appology. You never know where some people are from and when you travel all around the country you will find different meanings for many words. Come on Hillary camp, Do you really still think we are all dumb easily persuaded women? Where is my apology for that?

OBAMA 08'

Posted by: Janis | May 15, 2008 12:18:34 PM

so would this be a story if he called a guy reporter "buddy"? I'm not sure where in history "sweetie" was used to make a woman feel less than human, if you have this please let me know I'd love to read it. I can understand when used in a professional setting it's not too tactful but it isn't something that should be a story at this point in our society.

Posted by: jr | May 15, 2008 12:17:31 PM

Wow...just...wow.

I don't know what's worse, the fact that he said it, or the fact that you all are trying to defend it.

Could you imagine what Hillary and Obama would have said if John McCain did this...

Posted by: Mike | May 15, 2008 12:15:35 PM

Talk about making mountains out of molehills. Some people are looking to be offended where no offense was intended and where people just need to stop being so damn sensitive. "Sweetie"... really? Is that the most egregious thing someone can say to someone else?

If that's the worst thing he does, we will be much better off than the last two occupants of the White House.

Posted by: BKNeese | May 15, 2008 12:15:23 PM

If Obama and his fans didn't think it is inappropriate, Obama should not apologize...

Maybe he didn't mean it, just like he said he didn't mean it when he called white rural people "bitter"...

So don't take it serious about what Obama says because he doesn't mean it...

Posted by: True Truth | May 15, 2008 12:15:05 PM

It is not just the use of "sweetie," Obama has a penchant for using demeaning and sexist remarks towards women. I have posted Jake Tapper's prior thread on this from February.

This is no isolated incident that you can dismiss based on regional dialect. Note, Obama did not even grow up in Chicago. He located there as an adult.

Posted by: countallthevotes | May 15, 2008 12:13:49 PM

You said you never call people sweetie as if that was somehow important in this story. You also said Obama didn't do the press availability with the reporter, but that was only partly true. Since you have the audio that confirms that he met with her news organization but not her as a reporter (he did not make the assignment ofwhich reporter did the interview--editors do that)you left that accusation in your report without even adding his explanation. That is either bad practice on your part or you have a conclusion you are pushing to and need a premise that includes factual errors you know to be errors. I know its a slow news day but if you have to work so hard to make something out of nothing you might consider that more revealing about your skills and ethics.

Since you have made the question ofwhether or not other people--besides your mother-- call others "sweetie" I'll close by saying I do have this habit. When I am thinking about something when someone is talking at me I sometimes say "Hang on sweetie" or something similar. It is not intended as sexist (I am a 48 year old woman) or condescending (it comes out whether the person is older younger or my peer) but I do it almost reflexively and I find it almost always happens when I am trying to either cap off a thought or sentence (spoken or not) and shifting from that to listening to something new. It's like someone asking me a question while I am trying to add a column of numbers. The utterance is not selective it is reflexive. If the person on the receiving end is offended by I, I do what Obama did--apologize andexplain that it was not specific to them but more a bad habit that arises when I am trying to do two things at the same time.
I never consider it an insult when someone uses a term like that with me, alhtough I occasionally think, "If they really knew me, they probably wouldn't call me "dear." I think you are trying to make yourself a part of a story that is already too strained. He said something that offended a reporter, he apologized directly for it. Your mother's terms of endearment for you, your apparent superior grace in dealing with a press corps that seems to this outsider to act like a swarm of bees, and your feigned outrage for a incident you deliberated misrepresented, are all irrelevant. You need a better editor and someone to remind you that you do not have to insert yourself into the story in order for it to be news.

Posted by: Irene | May 15, 2008 12:13:32 PM

I wish just once the lovers of Sanjia would accept a failing of their messiah and simply admit it. The term "Sweetie" is condescending and sexist - that is the simple truth - it's inappropriate in a professional setting and would be cause for a meeting from HR in most companies in America - I'm sure Michelle Obama would love it if a coworker or some reporter called her sweetie.

You people are a joke.

Dems for McCain

Posted by: oldspice | May 15, 2008 12:13:16 PM

I've never read so much rubbish... the comments you people are posting are like those of 5 year olds - aren't we supposed to be educated adults? This entire article is written with a biased slant against Obama. He is been picked up on more and more tiny things than any of the other candidates have been picked up on for much more serious issues. Obama gets pulled for things like wearing (or not wearing an american flag pin) and then for calling someone "sweetie". In the meantime, does anyone know if Hilary has STILL made her financial records available??? Give me a break.... most people posting comments on here should look beyond their blinkered vision of things and realize this country needs a change, and after the Bush years, any candidate other than Obama is NOT going to bring about any positive change.

Posted by: Andrew Grate | May 15, 2008 12:12:49 PM

Of the numerous character flaws and strange associations of Barack Obama, calling a woman 'sweetie' seems pretty tame here in the South where we routinely use names like that. Give him a pass on this one.

On the other hand, if I understand the NARAL flap and the coverage of the Edwards endorsement, woman are considering this man in terms of sexist voting patterns; so, he might want to be a lot more careful not to feed that fire.

Posted by: len | May 15, 2008 12:12:20 PM

Oh, for pity's sake!! I've been known to call people "sweetie" myself, and I'm a woman! Okay, it's not the most professional thing in the world, but it's not demeaning. The man apologized. Can we go on to something important now, or are we going to waste more time on garbage? Sheesh.

Posted by: Anne in TX | May 15, 2008 12:12:02 PM

An absolutely ridiculous discussion. If Obama has a flaw, it's thinking that he must be gentle with a reporter who screams questions at him when he's rushed and behind schedule. But he can't tell her that SHE's rude and impatient, no way. As for all these insightful comments on his personality, character, tastes, and leadership style, how did YOU get to know him so well??

Posted by: druid | May 15, 2008 12:11:45 PM

The most remarkable aspect of the story is Obama's personal and kind apology, I'd say.

It confirms that after a VEEERRY long time we might have a gentleman for President.

I as a woman think that would be WONDERFUL!

Posted by: fiona Z | May 15, 2008 12:11:41 PM

MaxiDial:

I would like to know where you work. Maybe you worked at Iraq or North Korea? Stop making stuff up. This is not Hitler's Germany, okay?

Posted by: 2rocker | May 15, 2008 12:10:58 PM

If George Bush can tell the Pope he made and AWESOME speech, what Can't Obama call a reporter sweetie?

Posted by: spookemook | May 15, 2008 12:10:29 PM


This has been been spun by the clintons because of the NARAL supporting Obama instead of clinton.


Hillary Bloggers, Get Over it. Sweetie is used in many parts of the country and is not derogatory. Any of you complainers been to Louisiana? The reporter was just mad that he did not have to answer her question untill he wants to.

Would she rather be called B@!#$?

Posted by: Larry Oregon | May 15, 2008 12:09:54 PM

Whatever, where I grew up calling a waitress hon, and dear was part in parcel of dealing with them. In return I've been called the same.

Then I moved to the East coast and was told that was condescending and ill mannered. So I stopped.

Until I go home and then I get called it and I return the favor. Is it condescending? most likely. Is it going to hurt him? no.

Posted by: Beckon | May 15, 2008 12:09:42 PM

"A man sees what he wants to see and disregards the rest," or should we say "A woman"??
Please, I'm with Louielouie and Matt, but I guess when people get desperate they will focus on ANYTHING!

Posted by: skeptic | May 15, 2008 12:09:34 PM

To use terms like honey, sweety, babe, etc. in a proffesional setting is just condesending, period. On the street or out in my personal life that is a different story. I always correct men when they do this to me in a business setting with, "I am sorry, you must be refering to someone else, my name is ...".

Posted by: jen | May 15, 2008 12:08:40 PM

In New Orleans, many people call everyone Dawlin or sweetie, even strangers. It's not meant to demean or insult, just a cultural habit. I like it, and hope it never changes.

Posted by: Javalation | May 15, 2008 12:08:23 PM

It seems most respondents to this post who think it's a bore are men....figures. Clueless.

Posted by: Dee | May 15, 2008 12:05:43 PM

Rick Klein: "I don't know about you, but I don't believe I've ever used that term."

You sound pretty pathetic, Rick. You never wrote a book like Dreams Of My Father either, and never created one the greatest and most positive movements for social change in America since the days of Dr. King and the Kennedy's...

LOL

Posted by: herta | May 15, 2008 12:05:28 PM

Americans please give me a break....I call everyone sweetie or baby, young old even sometimes my supervisor. Come on people

Posted by: Della | May 15, 2008 12:05:16 PM

I can picture it now...

To Queen Elizabeth II: "Nice tiara, Sweetie"

To Margaret Thatcher: "Yeah, Sweetie, you were a great Prime Minister"

To Nancy Pelosi: "Hey you're rockin' that Speaker of the House position, Sweetie"

not very "Presidential"

Posted by: gigglechick | May 15, 2008 12:01:20 PM

i agree, this discussion is silly,
the discussion should be why he did not answer her question.

Posted by: jgaw | May 15, 2008 11:59:29 AM

It's condescending to call a woman in a professional setting "sweetie", but then we already know that Obama is condescending. The more telling point is that he evaded her question and in fact, never got around to answering it. Even if you don't see the sexism, you should be able to see the slippery character and lack of substance that epitomizes Obama.

Posted by: HoosierSue | May 15, 2008 11:59:17 AM

Obama is a sexist, condescending, arrogant, elitist person who oddly never even seems to break a smile-- will lose the election by a landslide to McCain in Nov.--and I can't wait!

Posted by: BC | May 15, 2008 11:57:57 AM

He can not answer questions on the cuff, his pupopet masters need to give him the answers, so they probably called George Soros, William Ayrs, Rev Wright and Stalin to give Obama the answers to the questions.

He does not take tough questions, he hides behind his race!!

Obama just like his elitiist friends and supporters, when you critizie him or question him you are called a racist , or as some said here bashing him.

If a Republican said sweetie it would be understandable, since Republicans are not the ones trying do destroy tradition, the libs are so that makes hima hypocrit!

Posted by: spock | May 15, 2008 11:57:48 AM

This discussion is a bit silly. I really don't think it was an intentional slight. I wouldn't be surprised if Obama refers to his young daughters as "sweetie" and then sometimes uses the term for other people--perhaps out of habit and less appropriately.

I don't think it's worse than Bill Clinton repeatedly referring to his 60-year-old wife as a "girl," which he has done on the campaign trail.

Posted by: mary | May 15, 2008 11:55:57 AM

With regard to "sweetie", do you think, on the vanishingly small chance this man EVER becomes President, that he will call someone like Angela Merkel, "sweetie"?

Bad habit? No, lack of respect and indicative of character.

Posted by: Yavo Lem | May 15, 2008 11:55:11 AM

the terms "sweetie, hon, honey" are all terms of condesention-and disrespect.
in the jim crow south, it was thought knowing a black person name was not important-just call her sweetie, hon, auntie, etc. same in the work place a man calling a woman not his wife or girlfriend.

but the main point of this for me is
just as always and it is getting to be more and more.
HE DID NOT ANSWER HER QUESTION.

everytime obama opens his mouth without a speech-he makes a mistake. and has to comeback and do something, make another speech.

why can't people see this as being unexperienced, he is not ready.

if there is not a teleprompter or a notes-he cannot do it.

he is a big mistake.
all of sen. clintons neg did not equal to her not being qualifed to be president

all of obamas neg do.-he is not ready to be president.
he is going to be a president in training.
pelosi and co. know they will be able to control this guy. they would not be able to control sen. clinton.

Posted by: jgaw | May 15, 2008 11:54:46 AM

LOL could not get more down to earth or be as normal as that.

My sister calls people that all time.

Posted by: Becky | May 15, 2008 11:54:37 AM

Obama hates women? That explains why he's married to such a strong outspoken one, why he's always praising his mother and grandmother, why he's pro choice and why so many prominent women governors (Ariz and Kansas) are supporting him. It makes perfect sense!!

People please if you simply prefer Hillary that's fine but to charge that he hates women or is sexist because he called a reporter sweetie is simply ridiculous. We are all Democrats let's keep our eyes on the prize--Retaking the White House

Posted by: aggielawyer | May 15, 2008 11:54:31 AM

I've worked for a couple of companies that if you called a female employee "Sweeetie", you could be written up by HR. One company would have just fired you on the spot. Hopefully the USA will see that the Emperor has no clothes.

Posted by: MaxiDial | May 15, 2008 11:51:48 AM

Give it a rest. How many times are people in general called sweetie, hon, etc. Certainly where I live. Both men and women.

Another desperate try by Clinton supporters as she glug glugs her way under water. Soon only the bubbles will be left.

Posted by: trudy | May 15, 2008 11:49:42 AM


Rick just because you don't say things like sweetie doesn't mean that nobody does... so that was lame. I use terms of endearment like that all the time. Is this a habit he should break, yes, but is it headlining news... NO.

matt

==========================================

Unless used to address a child, or a significant other, "sweetie" is a condescending, insincere term, when used as a form of address. It is quite inidcative of lack of respect.

Posted by: Yavo Lem | May 15, 2008 11:49:34 AM

I'm a liberated, almost 50, professional, Southern woman. Maybe it's a cultural thing, but I call lots of people honey, sweetie, sugar, etc. at work and at home. It's affectionate, friendly and not at all considered offensive here in Texas. I've never had a complaint, nor would I feel offended if called one of those names.

Posted by: louielouie | May 15, 2008 11:47:18 AM

Obama never answered questions directly.

Why the Superdelegates support such kind of jerk??

Dem, what are you doing??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

Posted by: golfgirlusa | May 15, 2008 11:40:02 AM

when he was traveling in PA, he met one of the Clinton supporter and he said to her, Can I kiss your to get a support?.
wake up America. He hates every American one who does not agree with him. He is a clone of Wright

Posted by: Tony | May 15, 2008 11:38:58 AM

Rick just because you don't say things like sweetie doesn't mean that nobody does... so that was lame. I use terms of endearment like that all the time. Is this a habit he should break, yes, but is it headlining news... NO.

Posted by: matt | May 15, 2008 11:38:37 AM

Oh, please...

Posted by: What.Say.Me... | May 15, 2008 11:38:16 AM

hey, obama's been a sexist(and racist) arse siince day one...
and you all are just catching the most blatant example...

those tingles up your leg have impeded your brain.

Posted by: trettin | May 15, 2008 11:34:33 AM

Obama has contempt for anyone who doesn't support him. Small town America, women, you name it.

Posted by: geevill | May 15, 2008 11:29:20 AM

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