So what what does Ms. Agar say? Here we have her response from the Washington Post. (You can read the story in its entirety here.
The reporter, Peggy Agar, with WXYZ TV, an ABC News affiliate, says, "Frankly I have been called worse during interviews than just 'sweetie' so that really didn't take me aback right then."
However, she says, "I felt more offended that he didn't answer the question."
While walking through the press gaggle, Ms. Agar asked Mr. Obama a question about autoworkers.
Later on, Mr. Obama actually left a message on Ms. Agar's Voice mail:
Hi Peggy. This is Barack Obama. I'm calling to apologize on two fronts. One was you didn't get your question answered and I apologize. I thought that we had set up interviews with all the local stations. I guess we got it with your station but you weren't the reporter that got the interview. And so, I broke my word. I apologize for that and I will make up for it.
Second apology is for using the word 'sweetie.' That's a bad habit of mine. I do it sometimes with all kinds of people. I mean no disrespect and so I am duly chastened on that front. Feel free to call me back. I expect that my press team will be happy to try to make it up to you whenever we are in Detroit next.
I'd say that's pretty darn gentlemanly. I wouldn't mind if Mr. Obama called me Sweetie. When I lived it Philly, both men and women used terms of endearment with complete strangers: sweetie, honey, babe, darling, pretty, handsome; the list goes on. It's a regional thing that apparent is shared with Chicago.
So listen, honey, it's no big deal.
