Political Nanny: Obama Calls Reporter 'Sweetie'

Madeline Holler — Thu, 15 May 2008 12:01:00 GMT

Barack, honey, listen to Political Nanny. This habit of yours, calling women "sweetie," you're going to have to break. Like, yesterday.

Wrong generation, wrong gender, wrong social standing, wrong, wrong, wrong. It's not charming, it's not collegial, it's not anything but cringey for women to hear from anyone but Grandpa or a waffle-hauling waitress (and she better be a good 20 years older than the so-called "sweetie.")

You apologized to the reporter, Peggy Agar. This is a good start. Now, stand in front of the mirror and practice. American English affords its speakers the luxury of not having to use parenthetical phrases of address when issuing commands, know what I mean, babe? So if you don't know the reporter/factory worker/ardent supporter older than 5's name, drop the "sweetie" and just say "hold on!"

Readers, if you must, the video:

Photo: WXYZ.com

Strollerderby : factory worker sweetie

Political Nanny: Obama Calls Reporter 'Sweetie'