Obama Apologizes for 'Sweetie' Comment

Barack Obama apologized yesterday evening for calling a Michigan television reporter "sweetie" after she posed a question to him.

During a campaign stop at a Chrysler plant in Sterling Heights, Peggy Agar from Michigan's WXYZ-TV asked Senator Obama how he would help American auto workers. Obama responded by saying, "hold on, sweetie," and, according to Agar, then not answering her question.

According to WXYZ, Sen. Obama later called Agar personally and left her a message apologizing for his remark.

"Hi Peggy. This is Barack Obama," the message said. "I'm calling to apologize on two fronts. One was you didn't get your question answered and I apologize....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."

Last month Sen. Obama was criticized for using the same word to refer to a factory worker in Allentown, PA.

AP Photo/Jim Cole.