Posted on 05/14/2008 3:04:33 PM PDT by Kieri
UPDATE: Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama has apologized to WXYZ reporter Peggy Agar for calling her "sweetie" during a campaign stop Wednesday in Sterling Heights.
Obama apologized in a voicemail he left on Agar's cell phone at 3:16 p.m.
(WXYZ) - Reporters on the presidential campaign trail are buzzing about Barack Obama calling WXYZ's Peggy Agar "sweetie" during a tour Wednesday of a Chrysler plant in Sterling Heights.
The comment came during a tour of the plant when the Democratic presidential candidate tried to brush off a question from Agar about help for autoworkers. "Senator, how are you going to help the American autoworkers," Agar asked Obama. "Hold on one second, sweetie," he replied, explaining he would answer in a later media availability.
In a posting on the New York Times Political Blog titled "Obama: Hold On, Sweetie," reporter Jim Rutenberg pointed out this wasn't the first time Obama used the word: "Back in Pennsylvania in early April, Senator Barack Obama took some heat for calling a female factory worker 'sweetie,' in Allentown."
Obama's comment to Agar has also been discussed by reporters for The Atlantic, Chicago Tribune, and Newsday.
For someone who wants to be the next POTUS, ‘sweetie’ is so inappropriate it’s not even cute. How about ‘I’ll get to that in a minute, **ma’am**.”?
If I went out of my way to help someone and they said ‘Thank you, you’re sweet/a sweetie/a sweetheart’ I would not be offended. If a man in a business setting, interview or meeting calls me ‘Sweetie’, it feels rather demeaning. And no, I’m not easily offended by things, but I wouldn’t call my manager, subordinate or coworker ‘bud, pal or dude’ in a professional setting.
Britney gal mode on:
Leave Barack alone!!! Can’t you see he’s eating his waffles!!
“Sweetie-Gate!”
LOL!!!
Obama calls reporter sweetie!
What would Michelle Obama do if she were called ‘sweetie’?
Pittsburgh Tribune Review | salena zito
Posted on 05/14/2008 1:23:31 PM PDT by Salena Zito
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2015970/posts
Georgia bar’s T-shirt links Obama, Curious George
Associated Press | Wednesday, May 14, 2008 | ERRIN HAINES
Posted on 05/14/2008 7:48:33 PM PDT by Siberian-psycho
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2016148/posts
If a Republican said this...oh I give up.
Didn’t say it was ok in a politician, just understandable. Parents often blurt out the wrong name, and busy people with kids have been known to reply absently using terms like “hon” and “sweetie.” I think if he had two boys instead, it wouldn’t have happened.
Here in the middle of nowhere, PA, folks often call me honey or dear. Our old neighbor down the street calls me doll, and we rarely exchange more than a greeting. I don’t think he’s condescending or out of line.
Guys hold doors here too, doesn’t mean they think you’re lame.
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