Obama Apologizes to Peggy Agar for 'Sweetie' Remark

was at the Chrysler LLC plant in Detroit earlier this week when he was asked a question by WXYZ-TV reporter. She asked Obama what he was "going to do to help American autoworkers." It was his response that put him into backpedal mode later in the day.

Obama's response was:



Hold on one second, sweetie. We'll do a press (availability), thanks."

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."

People in Michigan have to make a decision about who they're going to vote for... could take a second to say what he's going to do for them."

Apparently he realized his gaff and his team managed to get a phone number where Obama could leave a voicemail apology. Agar's station played the message on the air yesterday. Viewers were able to hear Obama apologizing for not getting back to her. He also mentioned that he has a bad habit of calling people "sweetie". He said:Ms Agar said the apology surprised her and she has been called worse. She was reportedly more concerned he had not answered her question. She commented:

Listen to Obama's voicemail message HERE.