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May 15, 2008
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.
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the word "sweetie" is bad?
since when?
oh dear.
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If a future presidential candidate called me sweetie, I would be pretty pissed. It's both condescending and unprofessional; however, He just got my backing for taking the time to personally apologize to her afterwards. That scream volumes about his character.
Maybe there really is hope for the future.
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"However, He just got my backing for taking the time to personally apologize to her afterwards. That scream volumes about his character."
or that he was outed by the press/TMZ/whatever that he used the remark/didn't answer
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timmay, sweetie might not be bad from a parent to a child, say, or a kindergarten teacher to a student, but from a man to a woman in a professional setting, it's sexist - it's condescending, gender-specific and dismissive. he would not have called a male reporter "sweetie."
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I don't see how the word "sweetie" is a bad thing. He could have said something worse you know?
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Actually, PinLA, it's not clear whether or not the press picked up on this until AFTER Obama left the apology.
God for bid he should call a male reporter "dude" or "man" in passing! Save that for VP Lebowski!
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So did he answer her question when he called?
Imagine him calling a female head of state "sweetie" during a summit.
Although I'm sure Clinton has called people worse - actually, both Clintons.
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is it ok for a woman to call a man "sweetie" in a professional setting?