Now here's a little gaffe from Barack Obama that will energize the "I Am Woman"-humming folks in Hillaryland. Andrew Malcolm at the Los Angeles Times "Top of the Ticket" blog reports a TV journalist in Detroit pressing Obama for answers, Peggy Agar, was dismissed with the term "sweetie." (He also has video.)
Suddenly Obama was walking right toward her. "Senator," Agar addressed him, "how are you going to help the American auto worker?"
"Hold on one second, sweetie," the presidential candidate said, sticking out his right arm as if to ward her off. "We're gonna do a press avail."
Sweetie?
"This 'sweetie,'" Agar noted acidly in her broadcast report, "never did get an answer to that question."
Later, the station said Obama had left an apology on the reporter's phone, admitting he had a problem calling women "sweetie" and saying he intended no disrespect.
If there's no disrespect intended, why wouldn't he have used it during, say, one of his debates against Sen. Hillary Clinton? "Now, Sweetie, you're not describing my health care plan accurately." How would that go over?
As gaffes go, this seems mild. "Sweetie" is a very nice word, especially if used with a person you find to be sweet, like a wife or daughter or niece. (It beats "Hold on one second, you pushy broad." If Obama ever said that, Hillary would have a party.) But working women will easily find it patronizing, especially if they're being dismissed with it.
I wouldn't be surprised if reporters who aren't floating behind Obama in adoration (like NBC's Lee Cowan) start making "Hold On Sweetie" jokes to each other when Obama won't talk to the press.
—Tim Graham is Director of Media Analysis at the Media Research Center.
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What are we going to do for
May 15, 2008 - 05:41 ET by USA4freedomWhat are we going to do for the auto industry?
Well there’s hope..
And...don’t forget change..
And..And..did I mention hope?
Oh yea.. look honey-pie.. The government will step in and pay for education, healthcare, housing, free dental, 5,000 weeks of unemployment, rabies shot, a plan to take off all of those unsightly tattoos, sex change operation (if you want one)..
What..?? Oh.. you want a job? We cant have you work, who would in their right mind vote for me? You need me! Remember..Hope and Change. Don’t forget that. Next question..
Ronald Reagan, 1962: I did not leave the Democratic party, the party left me.
Insert: your name, 2008, and the Republican party.
Romney / Jendil 2012 (if,we survive)
Your plan sounds fantastic
May 15, 2008 - 07:32 ET by SickofLibsYour plan sounds fantastic except for the non-PC use of the term 'sex change operation' - please use 'gender reassignment' in future communiques.
...what is the auto
May 15, 2008 - 12:30 ET by TruthMonger...what is the auto industry going to do - for it's country:)?
-JFK
Sensitivity in this country
May 15, 2008 - 06:12 ET by reasonsjesterI understand that feminists are sensitive to such trivialities, but I think it is all overblown. If a woman called a man a "sweetie" off the cuff, most men would be flattered by the term of endearment. Feminists have interpreted it as sexual-predatory, a sign of their deluded worldview.
The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane. - Marcus Aurelius
It's not a sexual or
May 15, 2008 - 06:33 ET by motherbeltIt's not a sexual or predatory thing; it's considered patronizing.
I agree, though, it's usually done without thinking and with a nice intent. There are more important things to worry about.
Loosely speaking
May 15, 2008 - 07:31 ET by reasonsjesterI wasn't being literal. Sexual has more than one meaning.
The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane. - Marcus Aurelius
In the grand scheme of
May 15, 2008 - 07:57 ET by HypocriteHaterIn the grand scheme of things, it's not a major deal, but I think it speaks volumes about how easily Obama can get irritated when he's challenged by the media instead of fawned over. I've been noticing this more and more with him that he has a hard time keeping his cool in these type of situations. He didn't lose his temper in this situation, but it was a backhanded slam against this reporter.
As a woman, I know I would be anoyed if someone (man or woman) tried to dismiss me by calling me "sweetie". He definately needs to work on his people skills.
not the point
May 15, 2008 - 09:22 ET by candanceIt's not about sexual harrassment or anything like that. Like MB says, it's a sign that you're trying to patronize someone, talk down to them. The reporter was in a professional setting trying to do her job and he blew her off with a cute little nickname.
Men might not see it as a big deal, but it is. Only my husband gets to call me sweetie.
This is one of those subtle ways Obama shows his true self. Unless he's willing to call Nancy Pelosi sweetie, this stands as a sign of the way he sees unimportant women.
Well considering every
May 15, 2008 - 06:15 ET by taterWell considering every critisim that is said about Obama is interpreted as racist...if you say this is a sexist comment by Obama, guess what you are a racist. /sarcasm
"They need to have a course in college called common sense and everyone should take it. Problem is there isn't too many people that could pass or teach it." -my grandfather
Yo.. BE'ATCH... ya feel me.
May 15, 2008 - 06:28 ET by Jack BauerYo.. BE'ATCH... ya feel me. Izza bruva an' a luva.
Sweetie? WOW!
May 15, 2008 - 06:30 ET by Mica the MagnificentNot a word from the feminists about the way women are treated in Muslim controlled countries.
Oh no, can't comment on that.
But call one 'sweetie' and all hell breaks loose.
Barack, next time say, 'Hold on, and by the way, where's your burka?' and see what the reaction is.
They'd have a very carefully worded response. Don't want to agitate the real oppressors of women, would they?
Mica, excellent point! In
May 15, 2008 - 09:20 ET by ConservativeRexMica, excellent point! In those five sentences you have explained how liberals think/operate.
Obama Made a Mistake
May 15, 2008 - 06:38 ET by allanfLet's face it Obama made a mistake. This woman is obviously no sweetie.
No she's a reporter WHo Asked a Question!
May 15, 2008 - 06:56 ET by ChasvsCertaily no sweetie! She asked him a pointed question which of course he couldn't answer since he diodn't have his que-cards handy!
We are SO SCREWED!
Buy American?
May 15, 2008 - 07:50 ET by Hero SquadA quick, off-the-cuff answer could've been, "Well to start, I'm going to buy an America-made car."
Then again, maybe forming those particular words into that particular order doesn't make sense to him.
I think the use of "sweetie" in the workplace will be increasing by about 50% today... just make sure the other person is aware of the topical reference!
*****
"People only insist that a debate stop when they are afraid of what might be learned if it continues." - George Will
What a co-incidence.. isn't
May 15, 2008 - 06:46 ET by Jack BauerWhat a co-incidence.. isn't Obama himself the MSM's sweetie?
Chris Matthews even undresses him with his eyes.
Meant No Disrespect?
May 15, 2008 - 06:54 ET by ChasvsAnd of course he never heard his racist SOB of a pastor say anything controversial! and never read the race-baiting slime his pastor wrote in the Trumpet!
Where was this stupid idiot all these years? Looking for sweetie's instead of that hate filled wife of his?
We are SO SCREWED!
sweetie
May 15, 2008 - 06:57 ET by opnpt0I don't see the problem with him calling her sweetie...he could have said something much worse. I know it's hypocritical but when aren't these people that way. Publicly the reporter may have been offended but I bet privately it made her feel nice.
I wonder if he has a pet
May 15, 2008 - 07:36 ET by SickofLibsI wonder if he has a pet name for Michelle...
'Lil Succubus'
I don't think too many
May 15, 2008 - 07:54 ET by TEI don't think too many feminists will be offended by what Obama said. Feminists weren't at all offended by Boy Clinton's rape of Juanita Broaddrick or Boy Clinton's serial groping and harassment of women. The feminists continued to love Boy Clinton as long as Boy Clinton continued to worship the feminists' most holy, religious sacrament, to wit: abortion. Barack Hussein Obama not only loves the killing of children in the womb, he loves killing children outside the womb, provided those children have survived an abortion, as his vote in the Illinois legislature showed.
TE
May 15, 2008 - 08:07 ET by DelsaRape is only a no no for republicans and conservatives!
Feminists?
May 15, 2008 - 08:06 ET by DelsaHe offends ME!
And I'm no feminist!
I'd pay...
May 15, 2008 - 08:37 ET by JPR1...to hear him call Helen Thomas "toots".
I'm your basic white guy
May 15, 2008 - 08:43 ET by BruzillaI'm your basic white guy with little knowledge of black traditions, but I know I get called sweetie, sweetheart, and most of all, baby, most times I talk to a black woman at work or one who's working where I am buying something. And I hear black men refer to my wife the same way. I agree that it's not patronizing, and seems to be more of a nice way to addesss people rather than "Sir" or "Ma'am".
I had thought about that,
May 15, 2008 - 08:58 ET by AlabamaI had thought about that, too, but then I remembered he was raised by the white side of his family... although it could be a habit he picked up from his wife...
Well, he's supposed to have
May 15, 2008 - 12:23 ET by BruzillaWell, he's supposed to have spent the past 20 years living in Chicago, and I know they use those terms there.
...
May 15, 2008 - 08:56 ET by AlabamaI really can't believe I'm about to defend Obama, but... I've been distracted and called perfect strangers some variation of "sweetie" or other endearments, before. I always felt like an idiot afterwards, and generally used it as a hint to slow down and pay attention to who I was talking to and what I was doing.
I'm just saying, I don't really think he meant to condescend to this woman, or insult her...
As far as never answering her question, I'm not shocked. He's gotten a pretty easy ride from the press so far, he probably didn't think he was bound to answer!! (Especially to a question that requires a little something more than "hopechange.")
Media Then:
May 15, 2008 - 10:14 ET by FoolicanMedia Then:
Reporter: Mr. Obama, what do you promise to the American people?
Obama: Hopechangefuture.
Reporter: What a masterful response!
Media Now:
Reporter: Mr. Obama, many American citizens are being pressured by increasing fuel prices, food prices, and steadfast taxes. What is your position on this?
Obama: Well, I think I can answer this question more successfully in mime. (makes a few hand motions, and concludes by putting his left finger up his nose)
Reporter: What a political wizard!
Warning: Last line may cause dry heaves
May 15, 2008 - 11:22 ET by Hero SquadActually, in the context of how he used it, I think condescention absolutely was his primary motive.
There are times when a term like this can be affectionate and appropriate among two strangers; perhaps an older waitress at a diner, par example.
This came across as an attempt by Obama to say, "I'm bigger and more important than you. Begone with your reasoned and appropriate question!"
Had the reporter referred to Obama as "honey" or "tiger," it would have been seen as equally degrading and an attempt to belittle the man. It would not have been tolerated and the reporter most likely would've faced a suspension or reassignment.
One thing you've got to hand to George Bush, he does make a significant effort in learning a reporter's first name, and only uses "nicknames" once a relationship with that person has been established.
(Can you imagine Bush calling Helen Thomas "sweetie"?)
*****
"People only insist that a debate stop when they are afraid of what might be learned if it continues." - George Will
If there's no disrespect
May 15, 2008 - 10:08 ET by FoolicanTell ya what, it would be the greatest moment in televised debate history. The Obamanites in the audience will explode in applause and cheers, the Hillary supporters will start screaming and jeering in disbelief, and they would have to suppress audience members for fifteen minutes before the debates started up again. The media would have egg all over their faces and Elvis Presley would rise from the dead.
"Obama made a mistake" - Considering all of the mistakes that Obama has just made in the past TWO WEEKS (57 states, Arabic in Afghanistan), I'm not sure I trust him terribly to be my President!
The gaps between the gaffes is narrowing
May 15, 2008 - 10:22 ET by Tom in NCObama's gaffes continue to mount up. In Missouri he diplayed his ineptitude about Afghanistan by stating that arabic is spoken there(Dari and Pashto are spoken there), when he realized his mistake he makes up a couple of languages to cover his gaffe:
http://www.rushlimbaugh.com/home/daily/site_051408/content/01125110.guest.html
and the list goes on:
http://blogs.suntimes.com/sweet/2007/03/sweet_column_item_obamas_gaffe.html
This guy is an empty suit with the intellect of a fence post, we'd better wake up, and soon.
I remember when Bush was on the campaign trail leading up to the 2000 election and every time he misspoke or made a gaffe it was front page news and plastered all over the news shows and this pond scum presidential candidate for the most part gets a pass. Disgusting is not a strong enough word for it!
"he had a problem calling
May 15, 2008 - 12:05 ET by misterbee241"he had a problem calling women "sweetie"
He admits he has a problem, now all he has to do is check himself into rehab.
There is none so blind as they that won’t see. Jonathan Swift 1667-1745
Two can play this game
May 15, 2008 - 20:26 ET by thelahunginjeetI'd love to see this turned on him during the presidential debates.