Obama apologizes to reporter he called 'sweetie'

Barack Obama apologized Wednesday to a Michigan TV reporter after he called her "sweetie" and dodged her question about autoworkers.

[question authority]

what's the problem? How could calling someone "sweetie" be offensive?

[TAKH]

Posters 1 and 2. Get over yourselves!

[ranting loons]

question authority wrote:

what's the problem? How could calling someone "sweetie" be offensive?

It is sexist, especially if Obama would be held to the same standard upon which Republicans would be judged who made a similar comment.

[Ella]

I'm surprised she didn't fall over and scream like she had just seen the Beatles! Such a handsome guy calling her "sweetie". I could just faint! Please know I am being sarcastic, but I don't mind being called sweetie....and I'm not an Obama supporter (not Clinton either!!)!

[Ella]

ranting loons wrote:

<quoted text>It is sexist, especially if Obama would be held to the same standard upon which Republicans would be judged who made a similar comment.

Now I agree with that! Republicans would certainly be beaten up for calling a woman an endearing term.

[Ellen]

The problem is you don't call a female professional journalist "sweetie" He has no class.

[Bob]

I don't have as much of a problem with him calling the reporter sweetie as I do with him dodging the question. Why can't he ever answer questions or talk candidly, it always has to be in a well planned out speech. This guy is a zilch without that.

[Linda]

Obama's arrogance and disrespect keep showing up. While touring a Chrysler plant he dodged an important and appropriate question. "Agar asked Obama what is he "going to do to help American autoworkers." He dodged her question and blew her off calling her Sweetie, and said he would do a press opportunity later. Later never happened. I wonder if Agar was a white reporter? That would make him both racist and sexist. In any event, he has no plans to help the auto workers. Hillary Clinton would have answered Ms. Agar with a good, detailed and solid reply. She has plans to help hurting workers. I think Obama cares only about being the first black man in the White House.

[Christy]

If this had been done by McCain, the press would have been all over it and we'd have seen it repeated over and over again on all the television news outlets. The man is an egomaniac, disrespects women, and others "not like him." He is also a slick liar when confronted with any of his wrongdoings, feigning puzzlement that anyone would think he was doing what he had just done. "Honey pie" is not to be trusted at the helm of our country.

[trace]

ah, America's press corpse, doing what it does best -- putting itself at the center of the story. hint: there are actual important issues in this election. see if you can use your mad investigative skillz to ferret them out.

[Robbie]

This is not the type of comment I want hear from a person who is running for president of the United States of America. I think John McCain would be held to higher standard for making a comment like that

[we are doomed]

if we elect reps based on foie gras positions and the use of 500 words of the english language as opposed to 200000. I guess that br***, sis***, dud* and whatnot are also forbidden words in any circumstance. Not to forget big*t mor** and dimw*t.

[Peter]

Obama's racism and elitism is really coming out now. I was supporting Obama before, but the more I hear about Wright and Obama's dark history, the less I want to vote for him. I just hope no more bad news like this comes out in the future. :-(

[Robbie]

Bob wrote:

I don't have as much of a problem with him calling the reporter sweetie as I do with him dodging the question. Why can't he ever answer questions or talk candidly, it always has to be in a well planned out speech. This guy is a zilch without that.

This is a legitimate concern. He is very good at giving well prepared speeches at campaign rallies. I find him lacking when he is asked questions he was not expecting. We have a current president in the White House who needs all his responses prepared in advance.

[Thomas]

Why would Obama have plans to help the autoworkers. That is not part of the trinity church agenda.

[Robbie]

What ever happened to being honest and telling someone that you will get back to them with a proper and accurate response.

[Michael]

He is just arrogant. How many times does he have to mess up for people to realize he is a lightweight. If he keeps letting stuff slip, McCain is going to crush him in November.

[Jen D]

What's the big deal? So a guy who is living in the public eye has a slip of the tongue. If he called a male reporter a "buddy" or something like that, it wouldn't be a big deal. There aren't many casual terms for women (like ma'm? BLECK.) Why is he all of a sudden pinned a sexist? What a load of bull.

[bowser]

Christy wrote:

If this had been done by McCain, the press would have been all over it and we'd have seen it repeated over and over again on all the television news outlets.

When McCain said that we are in Iraq for the oil, which contridicts Bushes reasoning for the war, and shows a clear disconnect with his endorser, I saw it only once, and I watch political television about 2 hr everyday.

So I would have to disagree.

[Thomas]

I think the real point was that he went to an auto plant and couldn't answer a question about auto workers. Obama campaigned heavily down here in texas, his commercials were geared towards 3rd graders. Just yell change a dozen times, say you are for world peace, and remind people you are not george bush.

If that's why you are voting for Obama you might as well right yourself in on the ballot, because you are not george bush either, which makes you just as qualified as Obama.