Barack Obama makes a 'sweetie' apology

Barack Obama did what you have to do if you say something to a person that many people find offensive, especially if you're running for president: He phoned Peggy Agar, the reporter he referred to as "sweetie," to apologize for calling her that and blowing her off after she asked a question following a campaign appearance Wednesday in Sterling, Mich.

WXYZ-TV, the Detroit station Agar works for, has a recording of the voicemail to Agar's phone, along with a story about the apology, available on its Web site. Obama says:

"Hi Peggy. This is Barack Obama. I'm calling to apologize on two fronts. One was you didn't get your question answered and I apologize. I thought that we had set up interviews with all the local stations. I guess we got it with your station but you weren't the reporter that got the interview. And so, I broke my word. I apologize for that and I will make up for it.

"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. Feel free to call me back. I expect that my press team will be happy to try to make it up to you whenever we are in Detroit next."

The WXYZ story notes that Obama has called people "sweetie" before, and on at least one occasion, caused a mini-tempest.

And in a posting on the New York Times' Caucus political blog, reporter Jim Rutenberg writes: "Back in Pennsylvania in early April, Senator Barack Obama took some heat for calling a female factory worker 'sweetie,' in Allentown."

Obama clearly needs to go on a "sweetie" diet, tightening up on his use of that diminutive.

It just seems dismissive, belittling and, yes, chauvinist, even if he doesn't mean it to be.

-- Frank James

Frank James writes for the Swamp of the Chicago Tribune's Washington bureau.

Comments

[Exclive]

It is really a sad day when ?journalists? have nothing more to do than sift for fine grains of sand in the ocean of good intentions. Sweetie!??? come on. Is there no end to which people will go to try and find something objectionable just so they can bitch about it?

[Sophie Beck]

Good for him that he apologized. You know I have a children and I call them sweetpea or sweetie-So I can see where you can say this without thinking that someone might be offended. I admire him calling her personally on both fronts and ADMITTING HE WAS WRONG! that is very new in politics! Kudos for Obama!

[Jim]

I guess this is more "diminutive" and "chauvinistic," in your eyes, than McCain calling his own wife a "C&NT??"

[mona]

It just seems dismissive, belittling and, yes, chauvinist, even if he doesn't mean it to be. Exactly, Obama never means anything to be. Please America and the media, let us give him an excuse and allow him to apologize for anything and we will just be done with it. It seems to me this is a pattern with Obama, apology after apology and everyone just sucks it up. Hey, the democrats can forgive but we all know better the republicans will not forget!

[Me]

This is yet another manufactured "issue" that's nothing more than a distraction. I used to expect better from the LA Times, but now I'm not at all surprised.

[Beth Kujawski]

At this point in the nation's history, is this really something with which we need to concern ourselves?

I routinely refer to people as "honey." I mean nothing by it – nor am I running for President, of course – but it's a verbal shorthand I use. It's colloquial. No one has ever appeared to take offense.

[jc]

Well, there are other more inappropriate descriptives than "sweetie".

Okay, gentlemen, I suggest we stop opening the door for ladies, taking out thier chair before dinner while dining at a restaurant, and start calling them "dudes". Let's not forget to ask them to move that "heavy box" from the house to the garage.

[Defeat Obama]

This must be another example of Obama's good judgement. So, lets reflect, No Experience, No Judgment, Bad Policies ... What's that leave us with? Motivational Speaker-in-Chief! At DefeatObama.org we are helping America wake-up to the reality that is Obama, the Wrong Choice!

[Rudy Cardona]

Hey people, get a life and lets focus on real issues at home, like the "Illegal War" and the million innocent people that have beem murdered in Iraq because of our "MISTAKE." What about the Economy, does anyone care about that! We are being held up on a daily basis at the gas pump while the big gas companies are reporting record profits-Thanks to the Bush administration who will turn the U.S.A. into a fourth world country. If you have nothing better to do, go see a film or wash your car.

[kat]

It's funny seeing an african american get caught up in overweening political correctnes.

Hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

[eric]

Mona,

You sound like an angry feminist. Would you the type of 'woman' to be angry when a man does not open the door for you, but also demand equal pay when working at the loading docks? Of course, you, being a woman, wouldn't do any of the loading though, right?

Well, madame, may I suggest an extreme external makeover. A tube of Maybellline and little bit of make-up and perfume will do wonders. A week at the beauty parlor seems to be recommended.

Have a beautiful day, sweetie!

[Luedna Reynolds]

I'm glad to see that Obama is human. I was beginning to think he was a machine - immaculately dressed in blue shirts and button-down, etc.

[Biff]

I guess it was better than nappy headed hoes! The media must be having a slow news day!

[simplerep]

Mr. Malcolm, Mr. Frederick and Co.

You know I am one of your biggest fans. Good, bad and/or ugly blogs that you post.

However, It is stories like these that remind me that no president, king, prime-minister or dictator has supreme power to manipulate and rule the minds of the populace, like the media.

I bow down to you gentlemen...how do you like your coffee sirs?

I'm thoroughly reminded that your keyboard is more powerful than tornadoes and earthquakes combined.

[simplerep]

BIFF,

You are a RIOT! Good point!

[Wanda]

Stop trying to make Obama look bad. He is human and the best person out of the three candidates to run this country. As for the reporter, tell her to get a life. Sweetie is an innocent word.

[joan]

I support Obama but the comment was sexist. Regradless of how acidental it was, it is and will remain offensive. Its nice to see that in the 21st centry people care more about a candates pastor than his own offensive comments. I don't expect a man to hold the door for me or pay the check. And I ownly demand equal pay for equal work. All I'm asking is that a proffessinal woman be treated with the same respect as any man would.