Obama's 'sweetie' is a pickle

Welcome to "Sweetie-gate," a place paved with eggshells, where terms of endearment turn into political peccadilloes at the drop of a diminutive.

[Carrie]

Ahhh, the politics of distraction....mmmm.

No need to discuss Americans dying in war overseas, a listing American economy, global inflation of food prices, energy crises, or our nation's horrible education system.

The longer we keep Americans focused on this trivia, the longer we can delay making tough choices about our childerens' futures.....great job Trib.

[Amy]

if this were only one incident of sexism in this campaign, well that would be one thing, but the truth is that it has been pervasive throughout. Expect much more backlash, it's well deserved.

[gaypastor]

I find all of this commentary fascinating. When Rep. Geoff Davis called Obama "a boy" in early April Obama campaign spokesman, Bill Burton (and MANY of you!), said Davis was being "condescending and [engaging in a]personal attack."

Now that Obama has mispoken by using a word that connotes sexist thinking everyone expects us to jump on the bandwagon that says "hey...its just a word...what's the big deal...why all the fuss?"

You Obamabots are truly hypocrites. No wonder the DNC is being split into two. We need to have the same rules for everyone here!!!!

Sexism is NOT a lesser evil than RACISM...or ageism...or homophobia...or...

[New Politics]

Whether it's offended or not depends on the situation. However, speaking to a stranger especially under a professional setting like the news conference, if it's not offensive, it's really inappropriate. It shows the person is lack of manners.

[ladydi]

The only times I've been called "sweetie" have been at casual eateries by the waitress who has a pencil tucked above her ear! She usually asks "Do you want a coffee fill-up sweetie?!"

[JLE]

Let's see: You've tried lapel pins, orange juice, bowling, now "sweetie." I don't think this will fly, either.

I suggested to John Kass today that he hide in the Obama's bathroom and try to tape record Barack's farts. That might be good for a column or two. Maybe Lisa Anderson can hide in there with Kass? Just hope that Kass doesn't call her "sweetie" while they're waiting.

This is journalism at its finest. Chicago Tribune style, that is.

[RichardPM]

Nonsense, nonsense, nonsense. This interest in this "gaffer" is nothing more than the work of disappointed Hillary Clinton supporters flailing.
Understandable, given what they had invested in her candidacy, making it a symbolic one for women. Problem is she was the wrong woman.

[Sam Bass]

gaypastor wrote:

I find all of this commentary fascinating. When Rep. Geoff Davis called Obama "a boy" in early April Obama campaign spokesman, Bill Burton (and MANY of you!), said Davis was being "condescending and [engaging in a]personal attack."
Now that Obama has mispoken by using a word that connotes sexist thinking everyone expects us to jump on the bandwagon that says "hey...its just a word...what's the big deal...why all the fuss?"
You Obamabots are truly hypocrites. No wonder the DNC is being split into two. We need to have the same rules for everyone here!!!!
Sexism is NOT a lesser evil than RACISM...or ageism...or homophobia...or...

Well said.

[jaxon]

I wonder how Obama would like beiong called, "boy."
The man disgusts me more every single day.

[Andrew Austin]

This is not a distraction. It goes to the man's character. Time and time again we have seen that Obama is not the man he says he is.

[shirlin]

Why are some folks so upset with Senator Obama's slip "sweetie" when no one is screaming about McCain's calling his wife a "c***" in front of a bunch of reporters? I'd rather be called "sweetie" than "c***"--the double standard applied to Obama and McCain shows a deep disrespect for all women. Obama was raised by loving (white) mother and grandmother and is surrounded by a loving (African American) wife and mother-in-law, and he adores his two biracial daughters. He obviously loves women. How would we intepret the position of a husband who calls his wife a "c***" in public and before strangers? Why are we giving McCain a free pass?

[Lance Winslow]

"Obama's 'sweetie' is a pickle"

Are you trying to indicate that Obama is a racist and a sexist? I mean I guess I'll take your word for it, I just thought he was a wonderful motivational speaker, salesman and story-teller up until now?

[Spector]

Anyone remember Emett Till?

[WOW]

Spector wrote:

Anyone remember Emett Till?

WOW, very interesting comment... I see it... woah.

[NinaK]

Gee, Senator Obama has been called all kinds of derogotory and offensive names, I have not seen the media jumping on these offensive diatribes. How about Carville and the comment about Hilliary having three cajones (cahones?) and if she gave one to Senator Obama, each would have two. That is downright disgusting and offensive! NO ONE jumped on Carville for it!!! How about Gov Easley talking about Hilliary having "testicular fortitude"?? Both of these comments are beyond the pale and have no place in public forums!! Where is all the OUTRAGE??? I didn't hear it!! Guess all those women who find "sweetie" offensive are NOT offended by the those more insidious comments? Why weren't they OUTRAGED?? I'll tell you why!! Because those horrible comments came from HILLIARY'S SUPPORTERS!! Geeze, Hilliary's suporters are really hypcritical beings!!! Guess Hilliary didn't mind that kind of filthy and offensive comments as she said nothing but stood there and smiles real big!! I am fed up with the hypocracy of the Clinton camp and their supporters!!

[NinaK]

Gee, Senator Obama has been called all kinds of derogotory and offensive names, I have not seen the media jumping on these offensive diatribes. How about Carville and the comment about Hilliary having three cajones (cahones?) and if she gave one to Senator Obama, each would have two. That is downright disgusting and offensive! NO ONE jumped on Carville for it!!! How about Gov Easley talking about Hilliary having "testicular fortitude"?? Both of these comments are beyond the pale and have no place in public forums!! Where is all the OUTRAGE??? I didn't hear it!! Guess all those women who find "sweetie" offensive are NOT offended by the those more insidious comments? Why weren't they OUTRAGED?? I'll tell you why!! Because those horrible comments came from HILLIARY'S SUPPORTERS!! Geeze, Hilliary's suporters are really hypcritical beings!!! Guess Hilliary didn't mind those filthy and offensive comments as she said nothing but stood there and smiled real big!! I am fed up with the hypocracy of the Clinton camp and their supporters!! With them anything goes, but let Senator Obama use "sweetie" and it makes news for three full days!! Come on media, please be fair!! You seem to let Clinton and her ilk get away with their filth, please start calling them on it!!!

[MissClarity]

I saw the footage on what happened. There was Obama touring a factory and the reporter pushed her way into the situation with her Clintonista usual big mouth and was completely without decorum. The usual no class low class antics of the dishonorable Hillary. Well the reporter got her moment of fame and she's done. Bye Bye rotten pie.

[amanda]

Yes! Thank you for a moment of clarity.

Carrie wrote:

Ahhh, the politics of distraction....mmmm.
No need to discuss Americans dying in war overseas, a listing American economy, global inflation of food prices, energy crises, or our nation's horrible education system.
The longer we keep Americans focused on this trivia, the longer we can delay making tough choices about our childerens' futures.....great job Trib.

[MissClarity]

You can call me 'sweetie', you can call 'darlin', you can call me 'Sue' and you can even call me 'Susan' BUT DON'T EVER CALL ME 'LATE' TO DINNER SWEETIE PIE.

[MissClarity]

SAM BASS: I can see why no one ever called you 'sweetie'. Just so you can say someone has I'd like to say Sam Sweetie your self-righteouness is showing.