Unless Mr. Cain wasn't holding a cup of tea, but was instead doing a Michael Jackson crotch grab, when he said this -- I am flabbergasted how anyone could have felt "awkward" or intimidated by this remark.
What was the problem - they felt awkward and uncomfortable because they couldn't decide what he wanted in his tea, and they were afraid to ask? Or was it because he called her 'darling'?
I'm sure Mr. Deace would have had the vapors if Mr. Cain actually held a door open for a woman... I'm confused what this Deace fellow is complaining about...
Deace is being paid by Cain opponents. That explains it.
This guy never lived in the deep soth. Darling is a common expression. My Preacher’s wife uses that as term of respect, although it can be a term of disrespect depending on the inflection of the voice.