Video: Obama annoys reporter by calling her “sweetie”; Update: Obama apologizes
posted at 3:14 pm on May 14, 2008 by Allahpundit
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Via Ben Smith, an almost miraculous stroke of bad luck: He dropped this on the one member of the media who wouldn’t coo and squeal like an infant at being addressed by him this way. In any other year no one would care but expect the pro-Hillary bloggers to tear him a new Messiah-hole for it, especially since it’s — arguably — part of a pattern. I thought he got a raw deal that time at the debate when he took heat for telling Hillary she was “likable enough,” but some women (including a liberal friend of mine) found it condescending. The same friend told me she was irritated by his mocking Hillary a few weeks ago for saying she went shooting as a kid. Feminist backlash on the way or grin-and-bear-it to support The Cause of electing a Democrat? They have been “reawakened,” you know.
Keep it on file mentally in case McCain stumbles this way down the road and the left suddenly finds itself outraged at such obnoxious sexism. Exit question: Is Hillary going to touch this? It’s so trivial, but any weapon to hand…
Update: That was fast.
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Brave, tough, able to speak without someone else writing your words…
The Modern Democrat.
benrand on May 14, 2008 at 3:17 PM
Cut Hussein some slack. Even Rosie O’Donnell seems like a sweetie after years living with the old battle ax.
saved on May 14, 2008 at 3:17 PM
No, Hillary herself won’t now.
It is interesting though, to be sure. Sounds condescending, but may just be meant endearingly - he has cause to love the media after all.
Spirit of 1776 on May 14, 2008 at 3:17 PM
Sweetie? To a woman you don’t know? To a reporter you are trying to impress? He must feel very confident that the media is in the bag for him. Damn. This guy makes such immature mistakes.
JiangxiDad on May 14, 2008 at 3:20 PM
So basically they wanted to media to show up so he could look like he pretended to care, but then scooted them away as soon as they actually wanted, you know, details behind the rhetoric.
amerpundit on May 14, 2008 at 3:22 PM
Another rookie mistake from Sen. Obama. A more experienced (or sensible) politician would know not to address a person following his campaign in a professional capacity as “sweetie”.
If he were applying the term to one of his staffers who he’d worked with a long time and had a closer personal working relationship I’d say that might be okay. Still not a good idea, but he’s really careless to make that kind of a slip with an outsider.
Jill1066 on May 14, 2008 at 3:22 PM
Can’t wait for more immature mistakes when he’s President…
I’m sure the media will start asking him questions about foreign leaders’ names.
I can just feel them getting ready to ask him those kind sof questions, the inane questions they asked GWB.
The ones that lead to questions some had, many had, about his GRAVITAS.
GRAVITAS
benrand on May 14, 2008 at 3:23 PM
If you vote for Clinton - you’re a racist. If you vote for Obama - you’re a misogynist.
The class warfare amongst the Communists continues.
OhEssYouCowboys on May 14, 2008 at 3:24 PM
That preacher on youtube was right–He pimps white and black women! And he’s a long-legged mack daddy.
Jungliszt on May 14, 2008 at 3:24 PM
What a doofus…if he wasn’t “the messiah”, he’d get ripped apart on this…where are the NAGS on this one?? Hell, I wouldn’t even call a female reporter sweetie, and I haven’t called my wife by name since before I got married two years ago!?
charlie36r on May 14, 2008 at 3:24 PM
Hold on, one second Sweetie, I’m eating my waffle and need time to come up with an answer that will fool you and the other dupes who think I’m the one we’ve been looking for.
There are two stories here: Sweetiegate, and the fact that he has no plan to help the auto workers other than Faith.Hope.Pray.
Buy Danish on May 14, 2008 at 3:25 PM
NOW has just adopted the term “sweetie” as being an acceptable term for an intelligent woman.
right2bright on May 14, 2008 at 3:25 PM
Maybe he just mistook the reporter for one that was on his plane earlier, ogling his package.
wise_man on May 14, 2008 at 3:26 PM
The womans scorn..
Obama’s trying to deny the first woman a chance at the White House! Bwahaha!
Obama’s Sexist remarks! >:D
Could I go up to Obama and say, “wud up hommie?” :}
Chakra Hammer on May 14, 2008 at 3:27 PM
Obama can always use the Isiah Thomas defense: the word doesn’t have the same offensive connotation you are attributing to it, because I am African-American.
radjah shelduck on May 14, 2008 at 3:27 PM
I think “sweetie” is a bit condescending. I have never liked how he makes fun of Hillary, even though I can’t stand the woman. The making fun of is a little juvenile for me. He is arrogant and he can’t help himself.
bopbottle on May 14, 2008 at 3:28 PM
This might be bigger than you now think.
It’s a clear demonstration of not just his attitude toward someone questioning him, but also his “feelings” for working-class people: he wants them to let him have his photo-op, vote for him, and then shut the hell up.
I’m with “sweetie.” This was a scorn-worthy moment. The Messiah showing his true disdain for anyone expecting meaningful “hope” or “change” from him.
MrScribbler on May 14, 2008 at 3:28 PM
Can’t see the video. Did she have a bear-claw or hunnybun dangling from her neck? Maybe he meant “sweaty,” no? Did she have pit-stains???
robblefarian on May 14, 2008 at 3:29 PM
OH NO! NOT . . . SWEETIE! Anything but SWEETIE. I so loathe it when someone calls me that. . . it’s like the worst thing in the world.
American politics has gotten so stupid it’s almost not fun to even watch like a soap opera anymore. I need entertainment.
ThackerAgency on May 14, 2008 at 3:30 PM
Should we assume he’s a decent hoops player too? Can he dunk? He’s such a Don Juan.
kirkill on May 14, 2008 at 3:30 PM
Hold on one second sweetie, I’ll have a comment in a minute.
apacalyps on May 14, 2008 at 3:31 PM
Heh. It’s coming.
Spirit of 1776 on May 14, 2008 at 3:31 PM
Lab Findings:
5/14/08 First reported case of Obama-Reporter-Fatigue Syndrome.
Channel 7 news reporter Peggy Aegar appears to be immune to Barack Obama’s charms.
moxie_neanderthal on May 14, 2008 at 3:32 PM
I like this reporter…she’s fiesty!
Jim-Rose on May 14, 2008 at 3:32 PM
Even his tone of voice was really condescending.
The_Freeze on May 14, 2008 at 3:33 PM
Sounds like sexual harrassment to me. And, he’s flush with cash. DO IT, sweetie! You’ve even got witnesses. A nice fat settlement and make him take sensitivity training.
a capella on May 14, 2008 at 3:33 PM
Two words to explain Barack’s behavior: Michelle Obama.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on May 14, 2008 at 3:33 PM
posted too soon..
Obama-Reporter-Fatigue Syndrome otherwise known as O.R.F.S.
~helps if you say it out loud
moxie_neanderthal on May 14, 2008 at 3:34 PM
Yep his smirk and “hold on a second sweetie”, and then never answering the tough question. Pretty much sums it up, doesn’t it honey?
kirkill on May 14, 2008 at 3:34 PM
i call my daughters sweetie, he has desecrated the word and made it a term of condescension and dismissal.
billypaintbrush on May 14, 2008 at 3:34 PM
Racist, sexist, ageist, elitist…yep, that’s just about what I’d expect from the left’s “Messiah”.
Master Shake on May 14, 2008 at 3:35 PM
She sounds sweet!
kirkill on May 14, 2008 at 3:36 PM
If McCain called a female reporter “Sweetie”, the NY Times would be all over it, accusing him of having an affair with her.
There are some people out there who call EVERYBODY “Honey” or “Sweetie”, but not everybody appreciates it, especially “Sweetie’s” spouse. Barack will probably catch he!! from Michelle about this tonight…
Steve Z on May 14, 2008 at 3:36 PM
I’m a woman and I’m no feminist, but I’ll tell you the only females I call sweetie are little girls under age 5 and my own daughter.
INC on May 14, 2008 at 3:37 PM
My God I’m going to puke. Mr. Partial-Birth Abortion himself. You’ll have to excuse me.
Jungliszt on May 14, 2008 at 3:38 PM
This is going to be a fun campaing.
“Sweetie”
Gee, that’s not condescending at all.
That’s not an elitist attitude.
(guffaw)
drjohn on May 14, 2008 at 3:38 PM
Being the knuckle dragger that I am he would have gotten my vote with “Honey Buns”.
BowHuntingTexas on May 14, 2008 at 3:39 PM
yep, thats the difference…
You can call your kids “boy“, or “Sweetie” but not in a Professional situation… She had a right get upset, i have woman doctors and I wouldn’t call them sweetie.(I tell them that they are cool and stuff if i agree with something they say, but not sexualized terms, how dies Obama know if this woman is Married or not?)
Chakra Hammer on May 14, 2008 at 3:41 PM
That’s one dog poop he will have to clean off his shoes all by himself, guys…
Unfortunately, the MSM is too ready to give him Clorox Wipes…
newton on May 14, 2008 at 3:43 PM
I might have a problem if it were Glenn Greenwald he was calling sweetie, especially since we know he normally calls him Snookums.
Seriously, though, it’s a touch condescending and shows he’s getting a bit cocky now that the horde has declared the race over.
It’s not, and this guy could be one or two more screwups from being tossed under that crowded bus.
JammieWearingFool on May 14, 2008 at 3:44 PM
She must be a new reporter. There’s no “Peggy” on the bio page of this station:
http://www.wxyz.com/content/about7/bios/default.aspx
Illyahkuryahkin on May 14, 2008 at 3:46 PM
Sweetie. Wow.
This guy is bonkers. Obama is one of the most arrogant, condescending pricks I have seen in politics.
faraway on May 14, 2008 at 3:47 PM
A playah’s gotta play, ya haters.
Chuck Schick on May 14, 2008 at 3:49 PM
She was upset only because he didn’t answer the question.
Valiant on May 14, 2008 at 3:51 PM
I hope Chris Matthews is wearing a bib because he’ll be slobbering all over the sweetie line tonight….
moxie_neanderthal on May 14, 2008 at 3:51 PM
Breaking: Obama calls Hillary “Sugar Bumps”
Dash on May 14, 2008 at 3:53 PM
http://www.wxyz.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=4927B0E3-110A-43F2-8C07-B64AF16FA28E&gsa=true
Suspect Charged In Laci Green Murder
Prosecutors have charged Laci Green’s ex-boyfriend with the Westland woman’s murder.
PEGGY AGAR REPORTS IN THE VIDEO PLAYER ON THE RIGHT
Chakra Hammer on May 14, 2008 at 3:54 PM
Once it became clear that she was immune to his charms, she was promptly fired. Sorry.
moxie_neanderthal on May 14, 2008 at 3:54 PM
http://www.wxyz.com/mediacenter/local.aspx?videoId=11671@wxyz.dayport.com
Watch this PEGGY AGAR you can see what she looks like at the end.
Chakra Hammer on May 14, 2008 at 3:55 PM
Don’t hate the playa, hate the game.
moxie_neanderthal on May 14, 2008 at 3:56 PM
That’s it, exactly.
Redhead Infidel on May 14, 2008 at 3:59 PM
For those that don’t want to watch the video..
http://i30.tinypic.com/1zlpzqe.jpg
picture of PEGGY AGAR
Chakra Hammer on May 14, 2008 at 4:03 PM
Ah so Peggy is blonde and a little large, so now he’s not only condescending to women, but to blondes and overweight people too.
kirkill on May 14, 2008 at 4:03 PM
and women in pantsuits!
kirkill on May 14, 2008 at 4:04 PM
You go sweetie, speak troof to powah!
fossten on May 14, 2008 at 4:04 PM
My boss is looking at me trying to figure out why I’m laughing. That’s perfect.
alilianstrom on May 14, 2008 at 4:07 PM
Not the first time he’s called a stranger “sweetie.”
From US News, April 4, 2008:
Gilda on May 14, 2008 at 4:08 PM
I thought Tweety was his Sweety.
Tweety=Chrissy=Matthews=Lapdog
fogw on May 14, 2008 at 4:09 PM
Wow. He thinks he is a Beatle and she is a teen.
Idiot.
Hunt035 on May 14, 2008 at 4:09 PM
This is so sweet I feel like I just mainlined a funnel cake.
RushBaby on May 14, 2008 at 4:10 PM
Wow. This is his “Hillary Cackle”
Black Adam on May 14, 2008 at 4:10 PM
Is the feminists really going to take this laying down? 29% of Democrats are demanding a 3rd party run for the 4th wave.
ninjapirate on May 14, 2008 at 4:11 PM
Is = Are
ninjapirate on May 14, 2008 at 4:12 PM
I do see a pattern developing
This is, I understand Senator Clinton periodically when she is feeling down launches attacks as a way of trying to boost her appeal.
“You know, over the last several weeks since she fell behind, she’s resorted to what’s called ‘kitchen sink’ strategies,” Obama said, per ABC News’ Sunlen Miller. “She’s got the kitchen sink flying, and the china flying, and the, you know, the buffet is coming at me.
And now SWEETIE
Identity Politics, you gotta love it…
tommylotto on May 14, 2008 at 4:13 PM
So ‘hot pants’ is out of the question?
tlynch001 on May 14, 2008 at 4:13 PM
All right, drudge put up a story contrasting Obama with Sean Pean. It’s official, drudge want’s to give birth to Obama’s unicorns. It would be so awesome to have the sweetie next to the emily list next to the naral next to BIG ASS NEON CROSS.
ninjapirate on May 14, 2008 at 4:16 PM
She may be breathing a sigh of relief that it was directed at a female. Just a hunch.
Nichevo on May 14, 2008 at 4:17 PM
You should never call a woman acting in a professional capacity sweetie (unless she’s giving you a lapdance).
I saw him do this on another tape recently. Maybe to someone that yelled “I love you!” in a crowd. I don’t remember, but it’s out there.
Not acceptable.
MayBee on May 14, 2008 at 4:18 PM
BTW
ROFLMAO
RushBaby on May 14, 2008 at 4:18 PM
Definitely condescending. Can’t wait ’til he uses that one on Angela Merkel, and spends the next half hour picking up his teeth.
Tanya on May 14, 2008 at 4:21 PM
Didn’t the press have a fit a little while back when someone refered to Obama as “boy”? Isn’t this pretty much the same thing - except by a presidential candidate?
Wow, Obama really isn’t prepared for the job of Presidential Candidate, let alone to be leader of the free world.
18-1 on May 14, 2008 at 4:23 PM
WWMcD: What would McCaskill do?
Allahpundit on May 14, 2008 at 4:25 PM
Could you imagine him doing that to Huck’s wife or McCain’s mom?
they would whoop him really good i bet…(i wouldn’t mess with either of those 2 women) >:D
Chakra Hammer on May 14, 2008 at 4:25 PM
[laughing historically]
AZCON on May 14, 2008 at 4:29 PM
Sadly, right now I think she’d giggle and swoon. But I have faith in her. She’ll come around.
Tanya on May 14, 2008 at 4:29 PM
Barbara Bush(W’s mom I wouldn’t mess with her either.. ) 8|
she kick your butt.. >:D
Chakra Hammer on May 14, 2008 at 4:29 PM
And for those that dont want to look at her picture… I thought Chris Farley died 10 years ago?
Chuck Schick on May 14, 2008 at 4:30 PM
Definitely not the type to call sweetie..
listening to her voice i thought that maybe she was in her early 20’s and maybe he messed up(still no excuse) however after seeing her picture, he has bad instincts and judgment.
Chakra Hammer on May 14, 2008 at 4:35 PM
McCain’s mom would grab him by one of those ears and make him sit in the corner.
baldilocks on May 14, 2008 at 4:41 PM
The only people allowed to use “Sweetie” to people they don’t know are waitresses in diners.
Buford Gooch on May 14, 2008 at 4:42 PM
I’d like to see him try that move on Michele-O…
Shivas Irons on May 14, 2008 at 4:43 PM
I think “sweetie” is on par with “guys” (at the end of the clip) in terms of informality/disrespect. In other words it’s not what one would say to a diplomat, but it’s not worth killing someone for either.
What *would* he do for the workers, though?
shirgall on May 14, 2008 at 4:44 PM
This denotes so much:
The female media don’t demand/deserve respect - at least this one gave back. No one has ever, nor would dare call me “sweetie” in any work-related setting. I get back at anyone who calls me “honey” at a checkout line in stores, unless they’re over 80.
He’s clueless to ‘liberalism’, our times/PC et all, feminism, and professionalism, and the fact that she’s not a child, or that he’s not over 80.
But, he’ll get a brake. The idiocy on the left is getting more and more entertaining. All the chickens are coming home
to roostfor a clustercluck.Entelechy on May 14, 2008 at 4:45 PM
That’s channel 7, ABC in Detroit, so it really doesn’t matter. Michigan will go Democrat anyway in the fall, they always do.
pb5000 on May 14, 2008 at 4:45 PM
Clustercluck??? That’s priceless
ROFLMAO
Buford Gooch on May 14, 2008 at 4:49 PM
Well, how the hell is he supposed to answer that question? “Oh, we’ll be cutting taxes on corporations and easing overbearing regulations?”
Right. Instead, just dodge and condescend. Works every time.
tbradshaw on May 14, 2008 at 4:54 PM
Depends what you’re into.
If it weren’t for last call I’d have no social life.
Chuck Schick on May 14, 2008 at 4:56 PM
Perfect. She’s lucky he didn’t call her “biotch”.
LtE126 on May 14, 2008 at 4:57 PM
“For those that don’t want to watch the video..
http://i30.tinypic.com/1zlpzqe.jpg
picture of PEGGY AGAR
Chakra Hammer on May 14, 2008 at 4:03 PM”
Thanks, Chakra…WOW! Beergoggle city.
LtE126 on May 14, 2008 at 4:59 PM
You tell, ‘em, Toots! :)
mikeyboss on May 14, 2008 at 5:02 PM
At least he didn’t tell her to ‘back dat up.’
James on May 14, 2008 at 5:08 PM
mikeyboss, it’s not a matter of feminism, but a matter of mannerisms. But I like it that the feminist and ‘liberal’ chickens are drawing to the clustercluck. Might have coined a term for this
erectionelection.Entelechy on May 14, 2008 at 5:13 PM
His cockiness is really coming through now. Not only with the sweetie comment, but with not deigning to answer a question. Brushing it aside like he doesn’t have to answer to “the little people”.
ctmom on May 14, 2008 at 5:15 PM
Who needs a plan when your a “god”?
VikingGoneWild on May 14, 2008 at 5:16 PM
Indeed. As Valiant mentioned, the reporter seemed more bothered by the fact he never answered than by the “sweetie”.
mikeyboss on May 14, 2008 at 5:21 PM
Gwen Ifill a ?reporter? annoys Imus…Imus stated people have to stop saying I called Gwen Ifill a Cleaning Lady. The Garbus Option.
http://imustimes.wordpress.com/2008/05/14/imus-ifill-throwdown-next-time-its-garbus/
Dr Evil on May 14, 2008 at 5:24 PM
I only tease those who I think are likely to take it well. One of my best friends from med school is a lesbian activist, and I get a kick out of calling her “Chickie” and such.
mikeyboss on May 14, 2008 at 5:25 PM
his inner muslim is starting to show
elduende on May 14, 2008 at 5:30 PM
mikeyboss, I took it well, but had forgotten to clarify in my original comment that I’m not a feminist. I’ll never wish to be equal :) - grandma always said not to go for that.
On a more serious sidenote, I work in a lot of hospitals.
Entelechy on May 14, 2008 at 5:37 PM
Maybe he felt that by calling her “sweetie” it would appease her and that it would let him off the hook so that he would not have to answer any questions..
in Obama’s mind.. “I called her sweetie, now she must be all happy and will write a glowing review about me”
Chakra Hammer on May 14, 2008 at 5:40 PM
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