Obama Apologizes for Calling Reporter 'Sweetie'

Barack Obama has apologized to a reporter for an off-the-cuff term of endearment, reports the Detroit News. While the candidate was stumping in Detroit, the TV journalist called out a question, and he responded: "Hold on one second, sweetie.” He later left her a phone message, calling his remark “a bad habit” that meant “no disrespect.”

The reporter took it in stride, telling the News: "I've been called worse"—though she did grouse on her own report that "this sweetie never did get an answer." (More Barack Obama stories.)