Democratic Presidential candidate Barack Obama apologized on Monday to reporter Peggy Agar for calling her “sweetie” when she asked him a question at a campaign stop in Detroit.

Reporter Peggy Agar, of the WXYZ television network in Michigan, had shouted a question as Mr Obama toured a Chrysler car plant in Detroit.

Mr Obama said: “Hold on one second, sweetie” and did not answer.

He later left a message for Ms Agar saying it was a “bad habit” and he “meant no disrespect”.

Agar in her report (see video below) seemed rather peeved, but upon receiving the apology said she has been called much worse.

I don’t really see anything wrong with being called “sweetie.” Growing up in the south women called me “sweetie” and occasionally still do. To me it is a term of endearment but it is easy to see how Agar got pissed off by Barack considering the tone he used and how he brushed off her question.