Strollerderby

eh, i don't think it's such a huge deal. it's something that happens when you have kids - i've referred to coworkers as "honey" before as a total slip. i realize i'm no presidential candidate, but it's something i see as forgiveable.

I don't it's such a huge deal either.  Coming from Baltimore, I'm used to everyone calling everyone else "Hon."  Sweetie seems much milder.

To Queen Elizabeth II: "Nice tiara, Sweetie"

To Margaret Thatcher: "Yeah, Sweetie, you were a great Prime Minister"

To Nancy Pelosi: "Hey you're rockin' that Speaker of the House position, Sweetie"

I'm with Political Nanny. Sweetie is for those who can't seem to understand that it is demeaning - at least to me. I'm not a "Hardened Women's Libber", but I find the term quite inappropriate in adult settings. When I hear it I feel as if I'm thought of as a 3 year old that has no thinking ability and is totally dependent on someone else. I could go on and on. But as for me, sweetie, hon, dear, darling I can do without -- unless it's a close relationship. ;)

Uh, did you just call Barack "honey"? Oh wait, I guess that was OK because it was irony.

Please. Waitresses have called me worse, right in front of my girlfriend. And nearly everyone over 40 with the slightest hint of a twang call my girlfriend "hon". Which is more than she lets me get away with.

I wouldn't be insulted by Barack calling me sweetie.... and I agree with posters above that it's a "parent" thing.... there are some young reporters out there! I'm 40 years old and my sister still calls me kiddo. She calls her husband kiddo!

BFD!!

These trivial points are what muddy the waters.... let's stay on track with the real issues.

oh GAWD get over it. You know very well he didnt mean it in a demeaning way. Quit looking for crap to get upset about

There are no real issues in this campaign.  So we all have to make some up just for the fun of it, right hon????

Okay, I'm an Obama supporter who thinks that this is embarrassing for him. This sure isn't like McCain calling his wife the c-word, but it's also the sort of thing that could make it unduly difficult for Obama to win over the pro-Clinton feminists who think it is traitorous for a woman to support a man, any man, over the first female candidate with a real shot of getting the nomination and winning the election. Good luck selling that crowd on how seriously Obama takes them and their issues after this.

I call some little old ladies I know well "sweetie" and "toots" with a wink and a smile, because some of them get a kick out of it; I don't do that, of course, for those who would be offended. I would never, under any circumstances, use those terms when addressing a stranger or someone I interact with in a professional or public setting. Why? Because no-one in his or her right mind thinks those are appropriate (or non-risky) terms to use in those circumstances. As a man who revels in fart jokes and other forms of sophisticated, off-color humor, even I can appreciate why a woman, given the history of how women have been treated by powerful men, would be uncomfortable with a guy who may very well soon be the most powerful person on earth using what might easily be perceived as a dismissive or condescending term to refer to a woman who is simply doing her job.

There is a line to be drawn between what's acceptable in private, familiar conversation (e.g., my wife and I sometimes playfully call each other Shithead and Asshole. Would anyone reply BFD if Obama or McCain called a reporter by those terms?) and what's acceptable in public conversation. Considering that the Current Occupant has a room temperature IQ, displays obvious scorn for those with views different than his, and sounds like he's in a constant battle with the English language every time he has a press conference, it's not too much to ask that the next President actually sound and act like a serious, respectful, careful thinker.

I don't think Obama did anything terrible here and this shouldn't develop into a serious issue in the campaign. However, it is good that this is being pointed out, so that he avoids these sorts of gaffes in the future.

I agree with Vernon James. I wholeheartedly support Obama, and something like this doesn't change that a bit. Still, I would prefer if he hadn't called anyone sweetie.

I agree with Vernon James & Grammaglo. This is an issue, maybe not a page one, above the fold, 3 days of the news cycle sort of issue, but it is an issue.  I'm not looking for something to be upset about, language matters.  How you talk to someone matters.  If a white politician had said "Just hold on a sec, boy" to an black reporter, imagine the story.  

You people are sad! This is NOT an issue! Starving children and unjust torture of foriegn combatants are issues!......Jesus people,Get over yourselves!

Obama can call me "Sweetie" any time!

Ooooohhh....my favorite - manufactured scandal!

She is lucky she was not called worse.

Especially with a face like that and a name like Peggy!