Political Punch

Oh please. Sweetie? Give me a break. One of the top 10 American terms of endearment and she was never called that? Chill out. What is next for her? Prozac? Zoloft? Or perhaps Paxil?

As a woman I felt offended. I do not think he would have called a male reporter sweetie. When making the phone call to say he was sorry I wished he had answered the reporter's question on the phone. He still has time to write out a response to the question and mail or email her. Do we really know who Obama is? Does he know himself?

It is so condescending.....he is such an idiot....and no respect for women....at work you can call it sexual harassment........and he never answers any thoughtful questions

ARE U KIDDING ME?????????
THEY ARE SAYING ANYTHING TO BRING THIS BLACK MAN DOWN! THIS IS REDICULIOUS.
PEOPLE ARE CRAZY.
MEN AND WOMEN GET CALLED "SWEETIE"ALL THE TIME IT MEANS NOTTHING. OMG!!!

Give me a break! This is newsworthy?

What a waste of time. This just shows how low Obama's critics have to search to find some fault with Obama.

He didn't answer the question he dismissed it and attempted to dismiss her. The question was valid and focused on those lower payed factory workers, a base he needs to step up too. Instead he swanked around looking at cars.

He called her for two reasons:

1) he doesn't want to look elitist.

2) he didn't want it to turn into a media storm where he is being called sexist (especially not with those feminists chanting for clinton).

Its the same(ish) as the rev. wright issue. He denounced him when he said things about HIM that could be misconstrued.

He is playing the politics game for sure.

Also like the way he tried to entice the reporter "my press team will make it up to you" bottom line for me the trip was a show which reflected how hollow his campaign really is. He wasn't there for the workers.

He was wrong. There is no way to defend this as right. Fortunately he did not try to defend it. He appropriately apologized. The thing I like about Obama is that he admits when he's wrong. And everyone will be wrong sometimes. The other thing I like is his way of seeing the better intentions in others and giving the benefit of the doubt. For example when Mrs. Clinton recently in syntax equated "white people" to "hard working people" his campaign response was "She didn't mean it that way." They could have jumped all over that. You could say, by a stretch, that his approach assumes moral superiority. It implies "I'm not going to sink to that level." In that sense you could say it's elitist or sexist. But to me, by admitting and apologizing when you are wrong, by giving the benefit of the doubt, and assuming good intentions from others--to me that is fair and refreshing. I think anyone can respect that. In fact, it is these qualities--and the possibility that we the people can take back the white house--this has made me interested in our presidential election for the first time. I think the journalist was right to bring this up and bring this into our conscioiusness. I also think that it is right to accept the apology. We needn't be relentlessly unforgiving. We can gain from this by looking at it squarely, acknowledging it, and moving forward with higher awareness.

Give a good guy a break, this is not serious news by all means.. so he is not so professional at some times.. that can be bad but again, who is or should at all times?!

I would rather be called sweetie than you guys, which is a masculine reference that many people seem to think is unisex in our "modern" age. at least sweetie is a feminine reference.

I hate being called sweetie or honey or any other stupid name from morons!

I am not your sweetie, I am not your honey.

Someone send Obama back to his hole!

That's what happens when you have a person running for Prez who is half black and half white, he's bound to say or do something that the other side is not going to enjoy hearing or see him doing.

MEN/WOMEN GETTING OFFENDED BY GETTING CALLED SWEETIE NEED TO GROW UP.

Obama can call me "Sweetie" any time he likes. (Hope rings eternal...)

"Hold on a second, sweetie. We'll hold a press avail,"
"Sweetie, if I start with a picture I will never get out of here."
"Sweetie if I start doing autographs I just won't be & I am really late."

Spontaneous, habitual, or not, this is sexist by what we have all been taught. Why should Obama get a pass? I think not. Pay the piper Barack.

I work for the NYPD and personally I call people sweety and darling all the time. I've lived in the community that I now work in for 29 years and everyone there knows me and my rep. That is just how I greet the people to whom I know. This saying is not disrespectful at all. As you can clearly see that this is how he talks all the time. STOP STRESSING PEOPLE!!! THINK ABOUT THE HIGH GAS PRICES!!!!!

Oh My God!! what bull is this? why cant the media focus on the issues but start up something that is innocent and simple? Apparently, media like CNN, FOX, ABC who claim that they are not bias,and dont take sides, etc actually stir up issues that are both irrelevant and unimportant to me and the millions of people whose lives are been impacted by the current political and economic nightmare. Please American media focus on issues that is of concern to the well-being of our citizens...not comments that are made or gestures that makes no sense or important to the current political or economic environment we are facing right now. If thats all you have to report about Obama referring to someone as "sweetie" apparently, the focus is totally not to shed light on the innocence of such remarks but a way looking for faults about Obama..This media has tried to associate him with comments made by some pastor 7 years ago,7 years ago.Do you how many people who made remarks like these over the years?, and suddenly he is not patriotic enough to be the president. How do you judge who is more patriotic? By having the US flag in front of your house, and wearing a pin on your chest? Does that make you more patriotic than anyone else? He is an American. An American. Deal with that. He is qualified to be the President of this nation according the constituition..Deal with it.He will be the next President..

Obama did use the word in a way that implied some loose moral or close, weird connection with the reporter but something like a slip of the tongue. People opposed to him may use this to create a useless, baseless scandal that never is. especially with the way Clinton campaign is dwindling this may be a "good" riddance for her campaign and supporters.
Great leaders are those who dont deny who they are and their mistakes. Obama should be understood.

If “sweety” bothers you, you should never come to North Carolina. By the standards of this article, I’m owed an apology by 15 percent of all waitresses that have ever waited on me here.

Quote: 'This begs a question....Why hasn't the mainstream press bothered to investigate Obama's roots in Chicago politics and some of the very angry exchanges he's had with the press there?"

This begs a question. Why hasn't the "mainstream press" published the fact that the Clintons are on trial for fraud in Los Angeles Superior Court?
That's case number BC304174.

Its a shame that people who do not want any good for America will take a mere sweetie call for a reason to blackmail the innocent man. IM sure most of the writers are clinton supporters bcoz this is now becoming a politically motivated topic. The lady in question was not offended by the name so why the fire????? we are in a civilize world for God sake. i personaaly call pple sweetie,honey and i get the same name frm pple too and i think its a way of life and a pleasant way of addresssing or showing love to all.
Plz lets not use this against Obama nor make this a politically motivated topic to bring the young man's image to black.

Quote: "Let someone, male or female, call you men "Sweetie" and see how you like it.

Posted by: doobrah |

Get over it, I am called "sweetie" every time I go into a restaurant by someone I never saw before in my life.

Worry about Senator Clinton losing more super delegates as we speak. Hmmm?

This is ridiculous! I have no use for Obama but anyone who thinks this is offensive needs to get a life!

Oh puh-leeeeeeze.

Its just too early to make a case from "sweeteeeeeee"but i hope its not gonna be "monicarised"...

Get some business and stop talking about bull.... that don't amount to hill of beans. PEACE

This is nuts. I agree with the many of you who are so disappointed to see that there's nothing better to do than talk about Obama for calling a female reporter "sweetie." GET OVER IT! GET A LIFE! I can't believe how the media takes the smallest things like calling someone "sweetie" and then all of these IDIOTS get in an uproar over it. Everytime that I've been called sweetie it's been in an endearing manner. Some people are extra nice and they use the word all the time, I have friends like that. GIVE HIM A BREAK!! SHEEESSSSHHH!!

He was wrong..he apologized....I don't agree with using the term in a professional setting..he was wrong. and he apologized. Let it go. I mean it's not like he killed 4,000 american with lies...still waiting for an apology Mr. Bush..well you did stop golfing..

I am not an Obama supporter but this is not news and really irrelevant.

What should be reported more is some of the interviews NBC conducts with Obama. They mostly ask him how his family is, what he eats, how many ties does he have for the road. I guess they want access if/when he becomes president.

Where is Helen Thomas when you need her? Get rid of this toadies like Brion Williams, all of the Today show, Chris Matthews, Keith Olberman. Go Helen.

I first heard the term "sweetie" and "dear" when I took up residence in the South. Nobody with half a brain...this excludes most of the republican party, will understand that it's a term of familarity and gentile speech that is not common in the rest of the U.S. When in NY don't get offended if someone calls out "hey buddy" or CA when someone says "hey dude." It's neither sexist nor femenist to say such things, just that some people can't live without making mountains out of mole hills.

Do you want whine with those crackers? People stop whining about nothing and stay focused on the issues. Anyone here who thinks this deserves attention is smiple minded. "Obama, you can call me Sweetie anytime."

Actually I'm not greatly offended by Obama's use of the term....I think it was his waving the female off that he rightly apologised for.

This begs a question....Why hasn't the mainstream press bothered to investigate Obama's roots in Chicago politics and some of the very angry exchanges he's had with the press there?

It's a little late some of us will never vote for this man. But since much of the MSM seems like they want to review their history with John McCain when are you going to look at how Obama was handed legislation to push through the state Senate. Are ya'll going to bother giving us his real record in IL?

The use of the term sweetie is a demeaning term to use with a professional or a non-ralative/friend. Period. Would Obama have called Tim R. sweetie? No, it wouldn't be professional. Remember the uproar over Biden's compliment that Obama was "articulate". What was intended as a compliment was considered racist because of the "connotation" the word carried. The same is true about remarks made to women. There is a history and a connotation that I'd think a candidate for president would be more aware of, particularly one who claims to be a uniter. The uproar about this particular situation is that it's more of the same from this campaign. Far from being a uniter obama has caused divisions in this country not seen in decades. If another example is needed...remember obama using his middle finger to "scrath his face" as he made comments about Sen. Clinton? He did this not once but on two separate occasions. For both his supporters and Sen. Clinton's supporters the message was clear. For the latter, the gesture will be remembered.

GET OVER IT PEOPLE! It's really not that serious! We live in a society that is overly sensitive. So what the man called her sweetie! If you listen to the reports you will find that the reporter was NOT OFFENDED. So if she's not offended why are you all getting so worked up? Just another case trying to be built against Senator Obama. Get a life folks! focus on what the REAL issues in our society are right now. Recession, rising gas prices, thosands of people who have been killed in cyclones, earthquakes overseas, the war in IRAQ, millions of people that need jobs, healthcare,etc. COME ON NOW! GROW UP!

Sylvia Johnsen: What makes you believe Obama is not a liar? He lied when he said he did not hear his pastor say those words. Ferraro is right in everything she said and was applauded by many people. Its people like you that are the ruination of this country that would vote for a candidate who is racial himself, does not like white people and attended a racist church for 20 years. Now, if you are educated at all you should know that he has to be racist along with his run of the mouth Michelle. They are both anti-american's why do you think he wants to talk to the terrorists and why do you think Hamas likes him. Because he is not 100% white, he is half minority. Bin Laden and Al Qaeda will be dancing in the streets and planning their next attack because they know he is an idiot when it comes to foreign policy. Wake up. Do you want this country to go into a disaster?

As a women and a Republican, I say give me a break. There are many worse things to have been called.

Let someone, male or female, call you men "Sweetie" and see how you like it.

Oh for heaven's sake...this is just ridiculous. Talk about making mountains out of molehills... Some of you feminist type women are saying "Just because I'm a woman, don't treat me like a woman". Get over it!

Ah it begins. Welcome to the Presidential race Senator Obama. If this is the worst dirt anyone can dig up on the guy hey it will be a cake walk for him.

What “Sweetie” really means. If you analyze the use of whom uses the term you will find that it is directed toward people believed to be somewhat “feebleminded”. Young women call old men and women sweetie, believing they are feeble minded or inferior. Old people call younger people sweetie, believing they are feebleminded or inferior. Men call women sweetie believing they are feebleminded or inferior. Women who call men sweetie believe men are feebleminded usually as far as sexual control, and men are too stupid(inferior) to realize the superior attitude of control.

So, Diane, Pay attention. Who called you “Sweetie”? A techie, who believes your intellect is “pomp and circumstance”. An old man from the old school who harbors the attitude of men are naturally superior? An older woman whose demeanor demonstrates in other areas her superiority due to age? A younger woman whom believes her authority and control makes her superior?

To test this natural phenomena of class rating, describe to yourself whom you call “Sweetie”. Your elderly senile parent or grandparent? Little children? It does not mean you harbor ill will, just the opposite. It is a social form of polite, endearing Pity.

Am I a Psychologist? No, I am a 60 year old diagnosed “Asperger” whom has studied what people are really saying so that I can understand the meaning behind their words. Up with Women.

...so? Is this what we have to focus on? Tens of thousands have died after the quake in China, hundreds of thousands in Myanmar while over a million are now homeless.
But please, let's all jump over Obama calling someone "sweetie," a phrase that I've been called and have called many people in my life. What I found more interesting was the obvious bias of this article. News should tell us the facts and let us choose our own side instead of choosing for us.
Ok, sweetie?

Helen wrote:
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You really are thick. Of course Obama didn't intentially insult the reporter. If he had, that would have been less offensive. It is because it came out so naturally that it is so insidious.
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Yes, he used a friendly term of endearment with someone, oh the horror! What an insidious EVIL man he is!!!

Helen further whined:
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It shows exactly where he places women in his scheme of things. Also, why do you guys insist on commenting on something that has absolutely NOTHING to do with you!
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Yeah, silly men for thinking that the presidential campaign and who gets elected to run our country has something to do with us. Get over yourself Helen. It's a good thing that you got so worked up over this, you can make up for the fact that the reporter involved in the whole thing DIDN'T CARE!

You keep fighting the good fight though. I'm sure there's a monster under some other bed that you should be attending to. I heard that last night Obama called a poodle, "Hey little guy!" A clear affront to small dogs everywhere! He obviously has no respect for small, curly haired dogs!

"""I broke my word, I apologize for that, and I will make up for it," Obama said.""
We have really been seeing more of this from him and there go the promises he made to get votes.
The good ole boys syndrome. He should be treated for his illness!

This has to be the most ridiculous issue the mainstream media has fabricated up to this point in the primary season. Terms of endearment, like honey, sweetie, darlin', cher (Cajun French pronounced sha as in shack), etc. are all dependent upon the context within which they are used. For example, in the Cajun culture, at least in my experience, these words are delivered to someone to whom which you are appreciative of or to whom you are fond of, not in a romantic sense, but in a context of freindship. I did not find Senator Obama's remarks offensive in the least bit and if you check the record, I think you will see that he uses this term frequently as a term of endearment. The fact that he felt he had to call and apologize shows just how rediculous this issue is...or should I say this non-issue is!

THIS IS NEWS!!! If gas is $4.00 a gallon, If the Iraq war is still going bad, if we are in a recession, If President Bush's approval rating is at 30%,let's look at the rising National debt, the shrinking of the dollar, Who really cares if McCain is too old, lost his bearings,whether he voted for Bush or not, whether he can't tell sunni from Shia, Whether or not Reverend Wright or Ayers will hurt Obama, or that Hamas wants Obama to win, or if Obama wears a lapel pin (Neither Clinton nor McCain wear one) or whether he misspoke of 57 states, that Obama called a reporter "Sweetie", (Good Grief)whether we care if Clinton came under fire in Bosnia. Whether Britney is wearing under pants or not, People are worried about the real issues: Gas Prices, The War, The economy. Americans want "change in this election," and they especially care about health care, jobs, gasoline prices, college affordability and the Iraq war.

At least he did apologize. That is something.

Personally, I find Bill Clinton's treatment of women much more offensive than being called sweetie or honey. I find Hillarys downgrading and dismissal of the importance of motherhood also demeaning. I stayed home with my boys until the youngest was in 5th grade. I did not have teas and only occasionally baked cookies.

Just because southerners find using terms of endearment acceptable with complete strangers or with skilled professionals, it doesn't mean they should designate what is appropriate for the rest of the country or for other cultures. Men should have little to say in this situation. They should be asking how we feel when called "sweety" or "honey" and why. Would Hillary or a female reporter go around constantly calling men "Sweety" or go around calling Obama "sweety"? Absolutely not, because it's obviously demeaning. It's clearly unprofessional. I think it's dangerous for Diane Sawyer and other women to say "What's the big deal?". They're not taking the time to think it through or try to understand the opposing point of view. If you're not my boyfriend, DON'T call me pet names. I'm not your pet.

I do not wear jeans nor a cap or hat and want to know why it is so accepted to call women "you guys" Frankly, I am sick of it. At least, the lady knew who was being called Sweetie!!!!

Referring to a professional woman as "sweetie" says volumns about this candidate. And to think we may be missing a rare window of opportunity to elect a woman who would probably be the most capable candidate in our wounded country's history. God help us.

Well I guess this proves Obama has no real corporate experience. I know of no company where a man could call a woman "sweetie". So this woman was a "typical white" who is probably clinging to her guns, bitterness, faith and deserves to be called "sweetie".
I am a Democrat who will vote for Hillary but not for Obama. So I guess my vote will go to McCain! I can't see where he has accomplished anything but 140 "present" votes (if you don't stand for something, you stand for nothing), run for President when he had said he would not do that in 2008, kept company with some questionable radicals and then denied connection, sat in a church that spewed black hatred of this country and did not walk out! Heaven help us!

Hillary, stay in there!

Go to the convention and make them vote, that is why we have elections.

Ferraro was a racist when she said Obama was helped by the fact he was black, but in this campaign the campaign against Hillary has gotten away with calling her "untruthful", "the senator from Punjab" and a "monster that stoops at nothing". A congressman that back Obama compared her to the psycho Glenn-Close-character in Fatal Attraction. This has been a most vile campaign, and the biggest hypocrith of them all is Obama. This sexist remark shouldn't surprise anyone who followed this campaign closely.

So men can no longer use terms of endearment. This is obviously a cultural gap as well where many in the South and Midwest where people are not as uptight use terms of endearment.

In the Northeast, it would be out of place in a puritan culture.

Caroline: Oh, you're right. If Obama should slip and call foreign leaders "sweetie" that's OK -- it's just a habit. Maybe he'll give German Chancellor Angela Merkle a shoulder rub (a la Bush). No problem.

Some people seem to live in the past

It is because of this sick overreaction that I will vote for Obama. I hope he will heal this country.

Oh sisters, what a bunch of over-reacting! Before I had kids I never said "sweetie or "honey" or any kind of endearment to ANYONE. After I became a mother, sweetie was something I said to my own kids all of the time. then I found myself saying it to my husband and even to my students all of the time. Barak is the father of two young girls whom I'm sure get the "sweetie" treatment from daddy a lot- it does become a habit- get over it already. Geez

I honestly don't know what's worse -- the old man who has "lost his bearings," or the young man who has yet to find his.

It's not Obama's first sexist comment and it won't be his last. He is overtly arrogant and feels it's perfectly acceptable to make demeaning comments, but God forbid someone makes one about him. Racism is a problem but so is sexism. the fact that the latter is so easily dismissed should be of great concern. EVERYTHING that sounds even slightly race related is swiftly attacked but sexism continues to be ignored.
He smiles and goes on with his mocking tone and everyone swoons. It is offensive and I will not vote for him. He dismisses ANYONE who dares to question him and evades even the silliest of queries. He will make a horrible President if he is so chosen and his worshippers will quickly fall back to earth.

Women have been messed over for many years by the Democrat Party and it appears that millions of “US” will be returning the favor, should this primary season continue on its current path. Hillary Clinton is clearly the best choice to be our party’s nominee for President. As a life-long Democrat, age 55, I think the way my party has hosed Hillary and their most loyal and largest voting block; women intolerable. I am confident the Democrat Party will pay a severe price for this blatant assault on women in November. Cry all you want about this being “sour grapes” but little good will result from your on-going efforts to rally Hillary’s staunch supporters around your chosen candidate instead of the people’s choice. Now, the Democrat Party leaders want women to get their pre- selected from the start, elite, wimp, Barack Obama elected in November. It will be cold day in hell before I comply and I also hope Hillary walks away from this Party. Most of the women, and many men as well, with whom I have contact are finished with the Democrat Party, now and forever. Also, many of “US” are starting a grassroots movement to insure these kind of sorry tactics employed by my now soon to be former party, never happen again. This clear favoring of Obama, making him the nominee because the party doesn’t want a woman, especially a Clinton woman, is more that I can tolerate. Of all the gall, the Democrat Party now expects “US” girls, including Hillary, to turn over our undying support to Obama. Sorry guys, this is not going to happen. Obama has no shot of winning in November without Hillary’s help and all of us, her supporters. Not on your life or in your wildest dreams is this going to happen. Democrat Party leaders take heed and you superdelegates had better wait to declare your support until the final results of all the primaries are tallied and the voices of all 50 states and territories are heard from. At that time, the real nominee of the people can be declared for the fall election. Let it be known that the damage has already been done to the largest voting block in America. However, it remains to be seen how deep these “bitterly disappointing and highly blatant attacks” are to women. In my mind, this is a travesty and affects all women of America. I for one will change my registration to Independent, and possibly Republican, on the day I vote for Hillary Rodham Clinton in the KY primary. Bye, bye and good riddance from Mary O’Bryan, Louisville, KY, to my former party, no matter what happens in the primaries left to come.

"Boy" sounds the same demeaning, dismissive way to a black man that "sweetie" sounds to a woman on the job.

Get it now?

J Cline ,

Does 'boy' sound like the exact opposite or male version of 'sweetie' to you or anyone else?

Once again Obama proves he is a sexist pig jihadist.

MissTickly, my self esteem is just fine, unless you count being embarrassed for womanhood by Hillary's behavior. If his worst slip-up is a term of endearment, and hers are racist, like those after South Carolina, Louisiana, and Indiana, I'll take his.

Our current President is famous/infamous for the spontaneous pet names he creates for not only friends but other Heads of State. Just search wiki for "List of nicknames used by George W. Bush" if you don't know what I am talking about. It is so much a part of his character that it is considered cute.

Just some of the women on the list: Secretary of Education Margaret Spelling is "La Margarita," Justice Department liaison to White House Jan E. Williams Acosta is "Sweet Jan," Hillary Clinton is "Wonder girl" and Senator Olympia Snowe is "the Big O!!!"

So, I guess if our doddering, good-old-boy does it, he is just overly kind and endearing. But, if ONE-OF-THOSE-PEOPLE slips up and does it, with one of the most commonly used endearments in the language, he is being demeaning and condescending.

Oh, please. If this is what the future of our country comes down to, then God help us.

"This is insane. Whether it's always considered to be politically correct or not, people often refer to people of the opposite sex by terms of endearment, in professional situation as well as social situations."

WRONG--never in a professional setting, and not with someone with whom you are not intimate with or related to.

MOREOVER, you have to watch the video to see how bad it really was. The remark was a demeaning dismissive put-down brush-off.

LAST, Obama refered to Hillary as having her "claws" "out", dismissed her views as the prodict of emotion, and even refered to her "period".

Barack Obama has a problem. He knows better, but persists. We really know so little about this guy.

This guy is not knowledgeable enough. He told us that he had campaigned for 57 states. He didn't know Afghanistan did not speak Arabic and attribute problems to Arabic translator. He is just a puppet on a string. A high-flown actor behind a podium. He is not real.

He quits debate with this woman because they have debated four times; 3 times on big issues that he can anticipate the question, the last time he is surprised that Americans want to know him personally.

Everything he does is condoned and nothing Hillary did escape scrutiny. Sexism at work.

It is always people who get screwed. 2M voters are excluded in the nomination process. He did that to avoid a revote. He wanted to split delegates evenly and no other. What is the point of election if people are treated like loots to be divided.

There are principles this country must uphold for whoever.

Women who vote Obama have such low self esteem. What's more, women who defend this type of behavior make the majority of women in this country sick. History will not look kindly on you. And anyone who blames it on the reporter is just a disgusting human being, period.

Obama women, you better learn to love yourselves FAST, you still only make 77¢ to Obama's dollar. And with rape statistics being sky-high, you are only fooling yourselves if you dismiss sexism in this country. It's sad, but many of us Hillary supporters still stand up for you. You can thank us once you get the therapy you so desperately need.

itstrue wrote: "Putting aside Mr. Obama's candidacy aside completely, it is just plain wrong to use 'sweetie' to refer to a woman in a professional setting. It undermines a woman's image in the workplace, no matter how well-intentioned (or not well-intentioned) the speaker is. No one else here seems to agree with that, but I had to put my two cents in."

The rest are spinning for Obama. They clearly have no idea what it's like to work in a professional setting, and that a man calling a woman doing her job sweetie is demeaning and arrogant.

These are really clueless Obamabots.

Hillary '08

I can't believe we are going to nominate this guy.

Give me a break! With all the substantive issues facing us today, you choose to pump this up as an issue?

What’s notable to me is that Obama promptly and personally apologized for any offense taken, whether actual offense was given or not. That’s a laudable trait in a leader, and bodes well for a more civil and mature tenor to dealings in Washington.

This is insane. Whether it's always considered to be politically correct or not, people often refer to people of the opposite sex by terms of endearment, in professional situation as well as social situations.

This doesn't even compare to McCain calling his wife a **** in public. That is misogyny. That is an issue. This is silliness.

Here in New Orleans, calling strangers daw'lin, sweetie, hon is common, and I like it. It isn't condescending, it opens channels of communication. A grocery store cashier called me sweetie, this week-end in response to my offering a small compliment. I've been to New York and have seen how they speak to, and treat, each other. I'll take the sweetie every time, thank you.

Tony, I think your comment on people over 30 not being allowed on the internet shows ignorance. Perhaps we should institute a draft for people 30 and under so we can have perpetual war. Open discussion is a hallmark of democracy. The problem with this story is that it's no issue at all. Think about that the next time you fill your tank to go to the market and buy your overpriced groceries.
God Bless America! God Bless Obama!

..."as for his "race", he's on record as"... that's just it, everyone has a race, why are we still so hung up on THIS issue?

I am not an Obama fan for many reasons that I will not discuss, but aside from the political context, what I am commenting on is the posters who think it is ok to call a woman "sweetie" in a professional environment. It is a dismissive term that would never be used to describe a man in a professional situation. Please do not believe for a second that this is not offensive.

As for his "race", he is on record as identifying himself as African American.

Not that race matters (it doesn't and shouldn't), but HE made it matter when he identified himself in racial terms.

Well, this is somewhat condescending ESPECIALLY as he NEVER even answered the woman's question.

Isn't his plan for autoworkers a relevant issue in this election?

Maybe he doesn't have one. Let's not forget he has practically zero presence in Michigan.