'Sweetie' remark a boost for Obama's image?
By Bill Scanlon, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Originally published 04:27 p.m., May 15, 2008
Updated 04:27 p.m., May 15, 2008
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Barack Obama calling a TV reporter "sweetie" may actually soften his image and give him a leg up with the millions of other Americans who use the term, some political scientists and linguists say.
News outlets Wednesday and today blared the story that Obama had responded to a Michigan TV reporter's question by saying, "Hold on one second, sweetie, we'll do a press (session) on that, thanks."
Some observers called the expression condescending and sexist, and recalled that he had used the same term with a woman factory worker last month.
Others said it was much ado about nothing.
Obama left a message on the reporter's voice mail, apologizing, saying the term is "a bad habit of mine," and saying he meant no disrespect.
"Obama is fighting this image of being an elitist because he has an Ivy League education, as does Mrs. Clinton," University of Colorado communications Professor Gerard Houser said this morning.
"'Sweetie' is a term of colloquial reference," Houser said. "It may soften his image."
"Sweetie" is an Americanism, its first documented use traced back to 1778, said Nancy Ciccone, chairwoman of the English department at CU-Denver.
And it's not just for women anymore, Ciccone said.
"Agatha Christie used it in a novel in 1949 to describe an old man," she said.
Linguists can trace its derivation to the Old English "swete," which means sweet and delightful, she said.
"It's a term of inclusiveness, a term of endearment to bring the speaker closer to people," she said.
CU-Boulder political scientist Kenneth Bickers says Sweetie-gate probably won't last past the next busy news day.
"Sometimes these kinds of comments fit into a narrative about a person — they drive the narrative forward in some way," he said.
For Obama, that narrative is the Hillary-Clinton-fueled charge that he is out of touch with ordinary Americans and was too late in criticizing hateful comments by his long-time pastor Rev. Jeremiah Wright, Jr., he said.
"But this doesn't fit into that," Bickers said.
"I don't see how this either makes him seem more out of touch with ordinary people or says anything about how he treats people.
"In the absence of other anecdotes that could erupt from this, I think this is one of those one-news-cycle moments.
"Calling a reporter 'Sweetie' might be one of the nicest things he can say to a reporter," Bickers added.
Most people vote based on either big issues such as the state of the economy or the war, or on whether they think the candidates understands the values important to them, Bickers said.
"I don't see this playing into how voters might evaluate whether he shares their values.
"He was not intended to be rude and disrespectful. He wasn't saying anything derogatory about people."
Houser said, "It's surprising a man of his generation would use that language.
"It wouldn't be so surprising for a man of my generation — I'm 20 years older than him.
'It's possible to be overly sensitive to comments like that, which were probably meant as an expression of friendliness, Houser added.
"It's like when I'm checking out at the supermarket — the clerk will refer to me as 'love.'"
And is he offended by "love"?
"At my age, I'm absolutely not offended," Houser said, laughing.
Others aren't as forgiving.
"He should have known better," said Lisa Menn, a linguistics professor at CU. "If the addressee was over the age of, say, 14, it was condescending."
Since the 1970s, when feminist points of view started becoming more mainstream, "the ideal that you could call someone who isn't actually dear to you by a term of endearment has been seen as an invasion," she said.
Menn says she hears fewer phrases that "set my teeth on edge" than she did 25 years ago.
Still, there's a good test for whether "sweetie" or similar words cause offense. Ask the youngest woman you work with whether she would be offended if you called her that. If she says "yes," that's a good cue not to use it.
The TV reporter, Peggy Agar, said she wasn't offended by the term — "I've been called worse" — but wishes Obama had answered her question about what he was going to do for working people.
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May 15, 2008
12:25 p.m.
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indisbelief writes:
Isn't this a bigger issue than "What mountain is that"?
May 15, 2008
12:40 p.m.
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SASQUATCH writes:
BILL CLINTON WOULD HAVE HUNG AN OPEN-PALM "HIGH-5" RIGHT ON HER LEFT BUTTOX AND THEN DELIVERED A SHANGHAI IRON-GRIP VICE SQUEEZE. "Sweetie" then would be back for a follow-up question. BO whimped out.
May 15, 2008
12:45 p.m.
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medina88 writes:
HAHA Sasquatch! That was funny.
Sweetie..Please! I hope it hurts him image more then it helps. If calling someone Sweetie lowers his votes...heck, it's worth a try.
this is actually a really stupid story.
May 15, 2008
12:47 p.m.
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ghostie writes:
At my place of employment (a bank) it gets said all the time by employees and customers and as a woman, I don't feel demeaned or objectified in any way. I feel fortunate to work in a sane environment where being "PC" hasn't completely gotten out of control and terms of endearment can still be used. I agree, much ado about nothing. Man, I would NOT want to be a politician; every word under the microscope.
May 15, 2008
12:48 p.m.
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PajamaPulitzer writes:
Nice try Scanlon. But all decent people know that Obama's flippant use of this highly derogatory term constitutes sexual harassment and it will likely be years before the target of his sexual innuendo recovers psychologically. Then there's the "collateral damage" of women not attractive enough to qualify as such a target who have suffered harm as well.
It's not the intent or even guilt but rather the serious nature of the charge that labels Obama a womanizer in the Clarence Thomas tradition and therefore unfit for high office.
Oh wait; is that a (D) before his name? You mean, Obama is a Democrat?
Nevermind.
May 15, 2008
12:53 p.m.
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SlouchingTowardBoulder writes:
"Sweetie!" What kind of sexist remark is that? Now, can you imagine NOW and MOVEon.org going off if the President or John McCain said that on a regular basis? And for the record, I find McCain's constant "my friends" incredibly annoying. How presumptive of him.
May 15, 2008
12:57 p.m.
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mytwosense writes:
Women do this too. I can't count how many women customer service reps have called me "hon" or "sweetie." More than male ones, that's for sure.
I don't exactly take it as an insult, but it's a bit too familiar for a stranger to call me by a term of endearment.
Some people might think I'm just being uptight about that, maybe they're right. It still makes me grit my teeth when someone does it.
May 15, 2008
1:07 p.m.
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PonchoVia writes:
Pajama- you're kidding right?
May 15, 2008
1:07 p.m.
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PonchoVia writes:
Pajama- you're kidding right?
May 15, 2008
1:11 p.m.
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bjamin writes:
This is just another example of the liberal's and media's hypocrisy. If George Bush did what Clinton had done, the feminist groups and the media would be up in arms about a 50+yr old man, in a position of authority, to coerce a 20 yr old subordinate into sex with him. If a conservative was accused, as when Clinton was accused (by 6 DIFFERENT women) of harassment and rape, their mantra would have been "where there's smoke there's fire". But since he's their "guy" they were willing to throw the women under the bus ("it's a personal and private matter"). It quit being a personal issue when he did it in the work place that we the people pay the rent on (the White House)and then he lied on national TV to me ("I did not have sex with that woman"). So why would we expect anything different when it comes to their new favored son. What would you expect from the liberal CU professor and the hypocrites that call themselves reporters (reporters are persons who report the unbiased truth with the same standards for all)other than to justify and minimize the insensitive actions of their own. And you would never find the editors and or reporters of this tabiloid to accept any responsibility for the slant that any is written (ref: the CU/Buffalos/Gary Barnett lies that they ran as facts).
May 15, 2008
1:18 p.m.
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SteveC writes:
It was an innocent remark that that meant nothing. Maybe not the smartest thing he's ever said but still harmless. Let it go.
May 15, 2008
1:20 p.m.
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buzzman writes:
obama--wash your mouth with soap--be respectful-you lost my vote-
HAHAHAHAHAHA
May 15, 2008
1:24 p.m.
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SockRayBlue writes:
It is all in who says what and is in favor at the time. If he makes it to the White House and pisses off enough people his past verbal wanderings will be called to the front. Then the political pissing contest will begin in earnest. Right now he's the political "sweetie" and can get away with such things. For awhile.
May 15, 2008
1:30 p.m.
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KarlCheney writes:
bjamin,
How do you know Lewinsky was coerced? Were you there? Clinton was just multi tasking, talking with world leaders while getting a hummer. Now that is concentration!! Bush can't even talk when that is all he has to do.
May 15, 2008
1:35 p.m.
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samsmargolis writes:
"'Sweetie' is a term of colloquial reference," Houser said. "It may soften his image."
Yeah, right. As I recall, former CU President Elizabeth Hoffman said that the "C" word was a term of endearment, also.
Complaints are filed in the workplace all the time over just this type of comment. I love how all the apologists come crawling out of the woodwork to keep covering for this guy (and his wife). Funny thing is most of them are liberals and feminists that would have heads rolling if a "typical white person" would have said that.
May 15, 2008
1:46 p.m.
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Gene writes:
In regards to well rounded reporting by RMN, there is no mention of where Mike Huttner, executive director of the liberal group Progress Now Action weighed in on this. Where is Mike Huttner on sweetie?
May 15, 2008
1:54 p.m.
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indisbelief writes:
SteveC is a democrat.
May 15, 2008
2:02 p.m.
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LingLingfor_prez writes:
Once again, the story is in the comments. Of course, it must be a slow day for news. They had to go and find some CU people to figure out what 'sweetie' means? Ouch!
May 15, 2008
2:10 p.m.
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eternalstudent writes:
I find "sweetie" charming. It strikes me as a light, chivilrous and warm term of address. And let me assure you, I've slogged thru Women's Rights issues since before many of you could read and write. If the fight has boiled down to excessive puffing and sputtering over an off-the-cuff phrase that has no other negative meaning, a whole bunch of you little girls need to get a life. Either focus on the larger issues or go home because sniveling over trivialities like this detracts from the things that matter and the issues that continue to make or break women's lives.
May 15, 2008
2:11 p.m.
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John_II writes:
This story is unbelievable. Not for Obama's innocent remark but for the media's reaction to it. The writer asks a professor from an institution known for widely supporting Obama about the consequences of saying the word "sweetie", and sure enough, the professor says it will help to "soften" his image.
Well, as Dana Carvey's Church Lady would say, isn't that special. I have three thoughts on this.
(1) Why would a reporter actually need to contact a university professor just because a politician uttered the word "sweetie". This type of over-enthusiastic journalistic pettiness makes me wonder if the same journalist ever contacted a law professor to inquire about the constitutionality of Obama's domestic policy positions.
(2) How could Obama's image be softened any more than it already is? The man is a dainty, effete, elitist who utters sweet poetic nothings to young fools. The man is aiming to become the leader of the free world; I submit that he needs a much harder image to achieve his goal.
(3) Has the RMN lost its mind? Why is this a headline in a major Denver newspaper?
May 15, 2008
2:19 p.m.
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davies writes:
When Hillary becomes Obama's VP 'dream team' choice, they can call each other Sweetie in a campaign commercial and get misty eyed talking in front of the fire about all the things they're going to do for America. Bill may even get jealous.
PonchoVia: Yes, Pajama was kidding. It was pretty funny.
May 15, 2008
2:19 p.m.
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Shaggy writes:
I don't have a problem that he called her sweetie, I usually call girls "hun" if I don't know them.
The problem I have is he didn't address her question like he said he would.
May 15, 2008
2:21 p.m.
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Gene writes:
Way to dissect the sweet nothing story, John_II.
May 15, 2008
2:28 p.m.
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MarineGrunt writes:
OH MY GOD!!!!! He is a Human Male and called a woman "sweetie"!!!
Yes, he must be the Chosen One!
May 15, 2008
2:33 p.m.
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nuclied writes:
Honeys, Sweeties, and Sugars:
Me included...congrats to all for wasting your time and attention to this. We can all take little solice in the fact we'll never, ever get these few minutes back.
May 15, 2008
2:46 p.m.
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joedog writes:
I thought people called me "Swedie" cuz I'm from Stockholm. Thanks to the professor from CU, I know know what it means.
May 15, 2008
2:53 p.m.
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Ashley writes:
Not a huge fan of any endearments coming from anyone -- excepting my husband and mother. But I think it's more likely he was probably multitasking and reverted to a "daddy moment." When he heard the question on the periphery, he probably reacted the same way he would have if one of his daughters had been questioning him. I don't really believe he meant anything by it. But if it had been me? I would've slapped him.
May 15, 2008
3:04 p.m.
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Oh_Wise_One writes:
Is this the type of spin we are going to get until November and then maybe for 4 years more? Where every little gaffe is analyzed and considered by the mindnumbed press to be beneficial to Obamessiah? Pathetic.
May 15, 2008
3:07 p.m.
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Froward69 writes:
again I agree with you Marine... He is the chosen one.
true story... at lunch today the waitress said "thank you Sweetie" after I left her a 5 dollar tip. all the way back to work I thought gosh It has been awhile since I have been complemented like that. then I realized she did not mean anything by it.
I get a break and decide to read the paper, lo and behold... this story.
slow news day eh??
May 15, 2008
3:27 p.m.
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joeblow writes:
Sweetie? That's nothing. I often refer to the President as 'war criminal'. War criminal is my term of endearment for giving us the war without end.
Hope that helps, especially Pulitzer in pajamas, someone I would never call sweetie.
May 15, 2008
3:45 p.m.
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davies writes:
Well, I think the consensus here is that we will allow Obama to continue to use the term 'sweetie' because he is the Chosen One; however, he MUST not be allowed to further test our tolerance by using terms such as 'woogie snookums'.
On the other hand, any term whatsoever will remain acceptable when referring to George W. Bush.
May 15, 2008
3:47 p.m.
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PajamaPulitzer writes:
Double standards are a way of life on the left.
Whether it's ok to use the "N" word depends on the color of your skin.
And color of skin is currently the Flavor of the Month in Democrat circles. It's tremendously amusing that Democrats are going to nominate Obama as to not anger 8% of the Democrat electorate over Hillary which stands to anger 55% of the Democrat electorate.
Political Correctness is going to costs the Democrats another presidency. The PC chickens are coming home to roost.
May 15, 2008
3:56 p.m.
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Big_D writes:
So the GOP is upset now about a Democrat not being PC? Who gives a crap?
May 15, 2008
3:58 p.m.
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mytwosense writes:
Big_D: "So the GOP is upset now about a Democrat not being PC?"
--laughs--
Always enjoy your posts, BD!
May 15, 2008
4:02 p.m.
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joedog writes:
He didn't call her bitch.
May 15, 2008
4:09 p.m.
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johnson writes:
joedog-- THAT would have been a story worth all the press coverage!
May 15, 2008
4:09 p.m.
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Fresh writes:
man what a waste of time to report this. How stupid a public we have become to be comsumed by something so trivial.
YOU ARE ALL IDIOTS!!
May 15, 2008
4:19 p.m.
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davies writes:
Fresh, you must be an extremely intelligent person to have written your first two sentences, and then come to that conclusion in your third sentence ;-)
May 15, 2008
4:43 p.m.
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Lexi writes:
Busting up@sasquatch.
Well it beats what Bush called the NYT Times reporter (Major league ______). Um, it's not baseball player!
I thought the reporter seemed quite chuffed that Obama left her a voicemail.
May 15, 2008
5:01 p.m.
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Charles_B writes:
John-John:
I think what we need in the oval office is a true statesman of the quality and requisite "manliness" I'm sure you prefer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CE5rx1...
Only someone completely devoid of self-esteem runs around calling people "dainty" and "effete".
It's projection, pure and simple.
You can only wish that you were half the man that Obama is you big doughy mass of insecurities and shame.
May 15, 2008
6:12 p.m.
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scootertrash writes:
I don't see the big deal, there is nothing wrong with calling someone sweetie, could be called a lot worse. Do people have nothing better to do than complain about nonsense.
May 15, 2008
7:22 p.m.
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PajamaPulitzer writes:
Charles_B: The man eats Arugula and bowls in the low 50's. He's a sissymary.
May 15, 2008
8:41 p.m.
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dillard writes:
Are you folks kidding? If calling a woman you don't know "sweetie" is a crime there is no hope for this country. PajamaP who gives a rats a** what he eats or what he bowls. I suspect this will gain a few votes for him. It'll all be forgotten by Sunday, just like Shaffer's Pike's Peak. Slow news day, indeed.
May 15, 2008
8:42 p.m.
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SteveC writes:
indisbelief,
actually I'm neither. For the most part I think both parties are a joke and will be offended by what the other says no matter how trivial the remark. Have a great day sweetie!
May 16, 2008
10:45 a.m.
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GetReal writes:
Why is anyone surprised the MSM would find a way to spin the tame "sweetie" comment in a positive way for Obama?
After all, these are the same people that twisted endlessly defending Obama's 23 year relationship with his best buddy, The Racist Reverend Wright.
And don't forget slumlord Tony Rezko, along with terrorists William Ayers and Bernardine Dohrn.
It really doesn't matter what Obama says, what he does or how he acts.
Even the certain emergence of future scandals, no matter how damaging, will be excused by the love blinded Progressives and MSM with feigned outrage of how racist white people are.
Everything will be conveniently blamed on racism.
May 16, 2008
1:23 p.m.
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Charles_B writes:
GetReal:
I guess it's a little easier to spin "sweetie" in a positive way than John McCain calling his wife/sugar momma a "c*nt".
What demographic do you think the "c*nt" remark will appeal to besides some of the woman-hating pseudo-cons that populate this board?
May 16, 2008
2:12 p.m.
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mytwosense writes:
GetReal: "Why is anyone surprised the MSM would find a way to spin the tame "sweetie" comment in a positive way for Obama?"
This story was written by a Rocky Mountain News reporter. The RMN is known as being a conservative newspaper. So why are you complaining that this is more evidence of the "mainstream media" positively spinning for Obama?