Obama: Not so sweet(ie)

Posted: Thursday, May 15, 2008 8:56 AM by Domenico Montanaro

The New York Daily News reports on Obama apologizing for calling a Detroit TV reporter “sweetie.” “ ‘Hold on one second, sweetie. We're going to do -- we'll do a press avail," Obama told inquisitive WXYZ reporter Peggy Agar. Agar ended her segment with the news that ‘This sweetie never got an answer to that question,’ and footage of Obama walking away.

“First, he said he was sorry she hadn't gotten her question answered. ‘Second apology is for using the word 'sweetie,'’ Obama continued on the voice mail, which can be heard at wxyz.com. ‘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,’ he said.”

The New York Times writes about Obama’s flag pin, which he’s now wearing. “It showed up on Monday, right there on his lapel, as he addressed veterans in West Virginia… There it was again on Tuesday, in Missouri, as he spoke to workers at a garment factory. And it was there Wednesday as he toured a Chrysler plant in Sterling Heights, Mich., near here in the Detroit suburbs.”

“Seven months ago, Senator Barack Obama said he did not feel compelled to wear a flag pin, saying he would prove his patriotism in deed, not apparel. What gives?”

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Comments

This is news. How stupid does it get? This much.

AZMac (Sent Thursday, May 15, 2008 10:01 AM)

Obama is a typical politician through and through. You're all being fooled by this pied piper. He is nothing more then a motivational speaker the press raise up like the new Jesus while smearing Clinton at every turn. This is the downfall of the Democratic Party which has proven it's more misogynist then the Republican's. And again, if Obama were white, we wouldn't even know his name!

jonathan (Sent Thursday, May 15, 2008 10:02 AM)

As for Sen. Obama's flag pin, I am one of those who are skeptical about superficial displays of patriotism, although I think such symbols are important to many people. Sen. Obama might keep in mind that the office he aspires to -- president of the U.S. -- is our head of state as well as our head of government. Head of state symbolizes the nation, so a flag pin might be perfectly appropriate.

As for the "sweetie" comment, hopefully we won't now be bombarded with 24/7 media coverage of "Sweetiegate."

Chuck, Denver, Colorado (Sent Thursday, May 15, 2008 10:04 AM)

Oh COme on.. Please find something better to report on.

Someone (Sent Thursday, May 15, 2008 10:04 AM)

MSM needs to stick to real news, and not drama. This is not news.

JW (Sent Thursday, May 15, 2008 10:05 AM)

He was given a flag pin by a veteran somewhere. Thus, it means something to him now.

Cedar Rapids, IA (Sent Thursday, May 15, 2008 10:06 AM)

I love it when people say Obama hasn't done anything worthy or worthwhile or he's all show. Think about it, the first half black/half white presidential candidate in a major party. He's transformed what is possible for millions of Americans. The reality is he is so good, that if he wasn't black, he would have done even better than he has. Blacks always have to live up to a higher standard to get somewhere in our society, racist as it is. I fully expect the Clinton supporters to come over en masse, could any reasonable person vote for McCain? Rumours on the internet is that he is unstable, and his Beach Boys impression of bombing Iran is not heartening to say the least.

Greg Martin, beautiful Santa Cruz (Sent Thursday, May 15, 2008 10:15 AM)

I am a passionate Obama supporter, but I can definitely see how a professional woman would get upset at being called "sweetie." It is patronizing and condescending in all occasions, but especially in the work place where women are often treated like they are just "playing the role of a man."

At the same time, Obama acknowledged that it was wrong and apologized. I am under no impression that he meant it to be disrespectful and believe that it was a bad habit. I don't think we should think any worse of him, but I hope it would spark some discussion about the importance of language and the message that it can send, especially in relation to gender, race and sexuality.

Amber, Chicago, IL (Sent Thursday, May 15, 2008 10:20 AM)

Alright, I'm as critical of Obama as the next man for his association with Rev. Wrong. But, getting all upset about the word "sweetie" is just silly! My wife calls people sweetie all the time; she works in a restaurant and has picked up a lot of diner-lingo. So is my wife being sexist when she uses that word to refer to someone? Of course not! In fact, I don't even think that Obama should have dignified all of this with a response. And as for the reporter not getting her question answered, that's the nature of journalism & politics.

Bob, colorado (Sent Thursday, May 15, 2008 10:26 AM)

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