[mthom]

This is not a big issue really. However I dont think it was really sweetie that was the problem. It was the dismissive tone. A tone Obama seems to take whenever he is not in a highly prepped photo op situation. He even used the same tone in the “apology” call.

[jennyjenny]

Exactly. Throw “sweetie” on top of it and it is not only dismissive but condescending as well.

[rawhide]

You are right. I notice that about Obama, when he speaks sometimes. He dismisses people. I remember the flap over his pancakes, “Can I finish my pancakes?”. If Obama wanted to eat his pancakes in peace, he should have stayed on the bus or in the hotel room, instead of venturing out in the public.

[DaveyB]

If she, the reporter, had replied "that's ok boy - I understand it's just the way you talk..." There would be hell to pay.

Sweetie good - boy bad!