Obama, Return of the MCP?

by Tolstoy, Wed May 14, 2008 at 06:01:21 PM EST

   On a day when NARAL lost a lot of us longtime foot soldiers and contributors, we hear Barack Obama dismiss a female reporter and call her "sweetie".

   Asked a serious question he replies "hold on sweetie" as though he was speaking to a child or a 98 year old woman in a nursing home.

   We already had an inkling of his dismissive attitude towards women with the "you're likable enough, Hillary" putdown in New Hampshire and his casual tossing of "I love you too" to his planted fainters, but this disrespect for a working journalist who happens to be female it a "tell".  

   Now I'll admit that "sweetie" is tossed around down here in the South in diners and truck stops but it is totally insulting for a presidential candidate from Chicago to speak that way to a professional woman anywhere, anytime.

   Call me by my name, call me by my title or call me Ms. but don't you dare call me "sweetie".  

   So watch your mouth, Barack.  We know you're careless with button pushing when it comes time to vote.  If you're actually a throwback to the bad old days when women gave their men MCP ties, keep it under cover or a lot of women will bypass your name when it comes time to vote.  And it won't be because they're care-less.  It'll be because they care-a-lot and refuse to be bamboozed.




Tags: Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, Sweetie (all tags)

Display:
Permalink :: 62 Comments :: Post a Comment


I loved Tron. (2.00 / 2)

But I don't see what Senator Obama has in common with the Master Control Program.  He's more like our hero, fighting against it, I'd say.


by McNasty on Wed May 14, 2008 at 06:05:10 PM EST

Damn you. (2.00 / 1)

You beat me like a rented donkey.


In this avalanche, the pebbles get to vote.
by Dracomicron on Wed May 14, 2008 at 06:05:42 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Master Control Program? (2.00 / 2)

Obama might be TRON, but he's no MCP.

Oh.  You mean "Male Chauvanist Pig."

Get over it.  Only that reporter can say whether she was offended by what he said.  If she was, I'm sure he'd apologize.

Quite frankly, I like it when people call me "sweetie" or "hon," and I'm a straight male.  It's cute.

I don't think anyone even uses "MCP" anymore.


In this avalanche, the pebbles get to vote.
by Dracomicron on Wed May 14, 2008 at 06:05:17 PM EST

MCP is ERA-speak. (none / 0)

It's just an outdated abbrevation from the women's movement of the 1970s.  It's still a valid criticism, just the term has faded.  Tron was quite a while ago, too, but clearly it stuck in our minds a bit longer.  :-)


by McNasty on Wed May 14, 2008 at 06:10:18 PM EST
[ Parent ]

"Get Over It" (none / 0)

Excuse me?

Fine - next time you guys scream about racism at the top of your lungs we'll just throw your words back in your face - kay?


Donate to Hillary Now!
by alegre on Wed May 14, 2008 at 08:26:31 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Aw, come on alegre (2.00 / 1)

This was nothing, and you know it.  Manufactured outrage over little stuff is tiresome and speaks ill of the movements that they're attached to.

It's like people freaking out about their kids saying "under God" in the Pledge of Allegence.

Is Obama going to discriminate against women?  Is he going to deny them cabinet or judicial positions because of gender?  Is he going to sign anti-abortion law?  

No. No. No.

alegre, I know you feel as though it's unfair that your candidate, who has been a tireless advocate for women's rights and opportunities, has lost her chance to become President of the United States this time around, but that does not make her opponent a sexist.  There has been sexism tossed at her, just as there's been racism tossed at my candidate, but to think that a man raised by a single mother, who loves his sister, who married a successful lawyer, and who has two little girls that he wants to provide every opportunity for is a sexist is clearly out-of-sync with reality on this one issue.

Have a good night.


In this avalanche, the pebbles get to vote.
by Dracomicron on Wed May 14, 2008 at 08:42:47 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Aw, come on alegre (2.00 / 1)

Fine - we'll see how you like it next time someone yells racism ok?


Donate to Hillary Now!
by alegre on Wed May 14, 2008 at 08:50:16 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Sure (none / 0)

If some old guy of any race calls Obama a "boy" then I have no problem with it if it's a generational rather than a race thing.  Obama is pretty young for a president, right?

There are some battles that aren't worth fighting.


In this avalanche, the pebbles get to vote.
by Dracomicron on Wed May 14, 2008 at 09:06:16 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Sure (2.00 / 1)

And some battles have been fought, and fought and fought and still have to be fought.  


by Tolstoy on Wed May 14, 2008 at 09:50:03 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Fire my secretary? (none / 0)

When she calls me hon or sweetie?  I'll put it on my list.


by Regenman on Thu May 15, 2008 at 12:24:44 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Aw, come on alegre (none / 0)

he could still learn, Arnie is still popular and he was der gropper. Lots of handsome guys wrongly think we can't wait for their compliments. By the way, the manufactured outrage comment is funny, what goes around comes around?  


Hillary - alternative energy
by anna shane on Wed May 14, 2008 at 09:29:05 PM EST
[ Parent ]

"planted fainters"? heh (none / 0)


by Slim Tyranny on Wed May 14, 2008 at 06:07:11 PM EST

Re: Obama, Return of the MCP? (none / 0)

This warrants a diary???

What a sad day for clintonites.


"In the primary you should vote with your heart, but in the general, you should vote with your head" Hillary's husband
by venician on Wed May 14, 2008 at 06:14:20 PM EST

Re: Obama, Return of the MCP? (2.00 / 1)

Wow - you guys are getting too damn predictable you know?

Ok fine how's this then... next time someone from your camp hollers about racism we'll toss the same comments back your way - kay?


Donate to Hillary Now!
by alegre on Wed May 14, 2008 at 08:27:43 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama, Return of the MCP? (none / 0)

they like to be mean and dismissive. It's fun for them.  


Hillary - alternative energy
by anna shane on Wed May 14, 2008 at 09:34:32 PM EST
[ Parent ]

You comparing sweetie to nigger? (none / 0)

Do you really want to pretend that I didn't hear that word while phone banking?


by Regenman on Thu May 15, 2008 at 12:25:44 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama, Return of the MCP? (1.50 / 2)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Juy9NwI8_ i0

You should embed this in your diary so people can see for themselves.  It was blatantly sexist and dismissive.  I can't support anyone who is sexist.  I wouldn't hire a sexist admin. assistant, much less a president.


TexasDarlin blog
by TexasDarlin on Wed May 14, 2008 at 06:25:47 PM EST

The Video (2.00 / 1)


I didn't believe in god before the primaries and I still don't.
by NewHampster on Wed May 14, 2008 at 06:28:56 PM EST

He's already apologized (2.00 / 4)

He called the reporter to explain and apologize. He called her on her cellphone and left this message:

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.


http://www.wxyz.com/news/story.aspx?cont ent_id=13d1f66a-488b-46d3-9d3b-6632e0a8f 1f7

As much as you try to drag him down... they guy is classy. Much classier than you're willing to give him credit for.


by Tatan on Wed May 14, 2008 at 06:59:52 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: He's already apologized (2.00 / 2)

Good.  Another W.O.R.M.


by Tolstoy on Wed May 14, 2008 at 07:07:08 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Huh? (none / 0)

What does "W.O.R.M" mean?


by Tatan on Wed May 14, 2008 at 07:37:25 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Huh? (2.00 / 2)

"What Obama Really Meant", just shorthand for all the explanations his campaign has been forced to submit to the media to excuse his gaffs.


by Tolstoy on Wed May 14, 2008 at 07:51:33 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Huh? (2.00 / 1)

I never thought this was offensive. I think a lot of people have been trying to make a mountain out of a molehill here.

That phone call wasn't done publicly it was a private apology to someone's personal cellphone. He's not talking to anyone but this particular woman to whom he said something she could have potentially found offensive. He was straightforward enough to acknowledge his error, and give her a personal apology.

That's a classy gesture on his part, I wish some people here were classy enough to give the man credit for it.


by Tatan on Wed May 14, 2008 at 08:10:59 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Huh? (none / 0)

Private?   Puleez.  The campaign put it out.  Or maybe you were on the call to the voice mail?


by Tolstoy on Wed May 14, 2008 at 08:27:10 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Huh? (2.00 / 1)

The reporter was the one who posted it. The campaign had nothing to do with it. That's why the voicemail is on the report's station's site.


by Tatan on Wed May 14, 2008 at 08:34:25 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Huh? (none / 0)

It stands for What Obama Really Meant. I was coined a while ago with snarky intent by people to describe the way Obama sometimes backtracks on things he said.


by OrangeFur on Wed May 14, 2008 at 07:52:02 PM EST
[ Parent ]

But hey He's the Obama so (2.00 / 2)

He can say what he wants then take it back the next day and all is good.


I didn't believe in god before the primaries and I still don't.
by NewHampster on Wed May 14, 2008 at 07:56:37 PM EST
[ Parent ]

yes, considering he has done it two other (none / 0)

times to women he doesn't know I would say it is a bad habit.  I would also say judging by the giggles of the other men there he does it on purpose to demean the woman he is talking to.
What a MCP.
For Obama it now becomes: Faith, hope and CHANGE! And the greatest of these is Change!
by TeresaInPa on Wed May 14, 2008 at 08:09:54 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Hmmmm... Yeah Right (none / 0)

I do it sometimes with all kinds of people.

I'm guessing he doesn't say this to men.


Donate to Hillary Now!
by alegre on Wed May 14, 2008 at 08:46:54 PM EST
[ Parent ]

"This sweetie (none / 0)

never did get an answer to her question." Sounds like she was just thrilled to be called sweetie while having her question blown off. Did he address the concerns of the workers at all during that visit? Or was he just there to get his picture taken, a la Bush?


by georgiapeach on Wed May 14, 2008 at 10:58:57 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama, Return of the MCP? (none / 0)

Look at the comments here.  LOL.  Some Party.


formerly bookgirl
by masslib1 on Wed May 14, 2008 at 06:31:14 PM EST

Re: Obama, Return of the MCP? (2.00 / 2)

They can't help it.  They're like little Koslings.
No clue what it's like to be the victim of sexism.

Perhaps my sensitivity comes from way back when I was the only woman in my county covering politics. During those days I met two presidents who treated me with respect but many lesser politicians felt quite comfortable referring to me as "honey, darlin', sweetie and even little girl".  I thought those days were long gone.  Yet here it comes again from a candidate who talks about "turning the pages".  Ha! I guess he meant backwards.


by Tolstoy on Wed May 14, 2008 at 06:59:01 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Obama building a bridge to the 1950s (none / 0)

I wonder if he calls his office assistant his "girl"?


For Obama it now becomes: Faith, hope and CHANGE! And the greatest of these is Change!
by TeresaInPa on Wed May 14, 2008 at 08:11:52 PM EST
[ Parent ]

He personaly called the reporter (2.00 / 2)

To explain and apologize:

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.


http://www.wxyz.com/news/story.aspx?cont ent_id=13d1f66a-488b-46d3-9d3b-6632e0a8f 1f7

The guy is nothing but class.


by Tatan on Wed May 14, 2008 at 07:01:32 PM EST

in fairness (2.00 / 3)

You should update this diary to include the man's apology and explanation.


by Tatan on Wed May 14, 2008 at 07:02:40 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: in fairness (2.00 / 2)

Since you've posted it twice I see no point in adding it again.


by Tolstoy on Wed May 14, 2008 at 07:11:02 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: in fairness (none / 0)

I understand... don't want to give anybody the impression that you're being evenhanded or anything.


by Tatan on Wed May 14, 2008 at 07:34:58 PM EST
[ Parent ]

It's only polite (none / 0)

Some people don't read the comments, just the diary.

No harm in posting the apology, even if you add your own snarky commentary, right?


In this avalanche, the pebbles get to vote.
by Dracomicron on Wed May 14, 2008 at 10:28:45 PM EST
[ Parent ]

That's Not an Explanation (none / 0)

That's nothin' more than C Y A.


Donate to Hillary Now!
by alegre on Wed May 14, 2008 at 08:48:42 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama, Return of the MCP? (2.00 / 3)

Just like with Jeremiah Wright, there's not a lot of inconsistency in the rush to defend Obama:

"Jeremiah Wright didn't say anything wrong. And besides, Obama has already repudiated everything he said."

"Obama didn't say anything wrong to that reporter. And besides, he already apologized."


by OrangeFur on Wed May 14, 2008 at 07:26:58 PM EST

Re: Obama, Return of the MCP? (none / 0)

Complete junk.  He apologized.  But that doesn't matter.  What matters is telling half the story to smear a Democrat.

Pretty typical around here, I'm sorry to say.


No way. No how. No McCain.
by freedom78 on Wed May 14, 2008 at 07:30:25 PM EST

True...but the good thing is (none / 0)

It seems to stem from a few certain big mouths that seem to have multiple threads started everyday. I think the word Bitter does apply to them.


by netgui68 on Wed May 14, 2008 at 07:53:32 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: True...but the good thing is (none / 0)

I can't speak to anyone's motives, but you get the feeling that if some thought it would benefit Hillary, they'd tear down anyone!

Of course, this doesn't apply to most, but sometimes a vocal minority can really set a negative tone.


No way. No how. No McCain.
by freedom78 on Wed May 14, 2008 at 07:55:26 PM EST
[ Parent ]

That is true and I believe their intention (none / 0)

I have started coming to the conclusion that it is a completely feminist issue and they are just pissed because Obama is in their way of putting a woman in office...it would not matter who it was they would be the same way...woman president or bust...(the damn party apart)


by netgui68 on Wed May 14, 2008 at 08:18:24 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama, Return of the MCP? (none / 0)

He DOES put his foot in his mouth more then he should?

Bitter vs Frustrated?

But, (and I expect to get stomped for this) not sure the Hillary camp should try and turn this into "sweetie-gate."

I think, Hard Working White Folks are probably going to side against you (Like I said, I expect to get ripped for this) if you want to run Obama through the mill for this stupid remark?

I mean, if your candidate is going to be hanging in pool halls, shooting boiler-makers, the crowd she is hanging with AND courting says a lot worse things then "Sweetie?"

Ok, kitchen sink me.....


"Either you're the butcher Or the lamb but even so, Everybody pays as they go-Jakob Dylan"
by WashStateBlue on Wed May 14, 2008 at 07:31:27 PM EST

Re: Obama, Return of the MCP? (2.00 / 1)

Nah, not worth a sink.  I  suspect you just don't get it and  no amount of explanation would make a dent.  But a a litle hint:  this has nothing to do with foul language.  


by Tolstoy on Wed May 14, 2008 at 07:40:56 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama, Return of the MCP? (2.00 / 1)

Didn't Sen. Obama refer to Sen. Clinton as Bush - Cheney lite?


by durendal on Wed May 14, 2008 at 07:40:07 PM EST

Re: Obama, Return of the MCP? (2.00 / 1)

Is there an apology forthcoming orhas he already done so?


by durendal on Wed May 14, 2008 at 07:48:35 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Give me a break...you are searching hard for... (none / 0)

something to bitch about...Nobody in their right mind would think he is the type to demean a woman...his wife is incredibly strong and smart and I am certain she does not take backseat to anyone...including Barack.


by netgui68 on Wed May 14, 2008 at 07:49:52 PM EST

Re: Obama, Return of the MCP? (2.00 / 1)

The comments here just emphasize how clueless Obama can be in respecting and interacting with professional women, and women in general, and how like him his supporters are.  Better they not comment than to just confirm the impression Obama has already left.


by Scotch on Wed May 14, 2008 at 08:02:58 PM EST

Re: Obama, Return of the MCP? (none / 0)

Obama's language was bad but he apologized for it. You should edit your diary to include his apology if you want to be complete about reporting this issue -- regardless of whether you accept this apology or not.

Personally where issues of feminism are concerned there's no living president I consider lower than Bill Clinton who made a habit out of the sexual usage of female underlings. How this reflects to Hillary's own judgment is again a personal opinion.


by Aris Katsaris on Wed May 14, 2008 at 08:25:03 PM EST

Re: Obama, Return of the MCP? (none / 0)

To answer your question - YES.

I asked for a REFUND of all my donations.

Never again will I be duped.

It is truly disgusting.


by nikkid on Wed May 14, 2008 at 09:04:06 PM EST

Re: Obama, Return of the MCP? (none / 0)

i don't even like waitresses calling me sweetie, i totally hate it when younger guys to, I'm supposed to feel flattered? What big heads!!!


Hillary - alternative energy
by anna shane on Wed May 14, 2008 at 09:04:34 PM EST


You are not logged in.

In order to post a comment, you must be logged in. If you have a member account, please log in to comment.

If not, you can make an account right here. It's quick and free.

Login
Username:

Password: