On Wednesday, US Presidential hopeful Barack Obama received a critical endorsement from the National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League, known as NARAL Pro-Choice America, oft-considered America's forefront voice on women's issues. Immediately, the endorsement raised the ire of feminists across the country, who said that NARAL had 'sold out' in endorsing a man (Barack Obama) over a woman (Hillary Clinton).

On Thursday, their argument received a boost, thanks to an Obama gaffe in Detroit, Michigan, one that has disparate voices on both the far left and far right joining together to denounce him. What exactly did he say? And why is it already known as 'Sweetie-Gate'? Take a look... (External Link)

Given America's uber-politically correct climate, and the added scrutiny that comes with being a Presidential candidate, one has to wonder what exactly Obama was thinking.

This slip of the tongue is now forever immortalised on Youtube, sure to join the Pantheon of Verbal Blunders. Yes, Obama did quickly realise the implications of calling a woman he'd never met 'Sweetie'. In fact, he phoned WXYZ's Peggy Ager, the reporter in the video, and left a voice-mail that very night. But one must ask: Was he being silly, glib, casual? Or does this 'Sweetie' reveal some deep-rooted misogynist tendencies that Obama harbours, but has mananged to suppress? Or are we just making a mountain out of a molehille?

Either way, Obama seems to truly regret the incident. Whether it's worry for his reputation, or genuine disappointment in himself, is difficult to say. Here, reproduced in full, is the text of Obama's voice-mail:

"Hi Peggy. This is Barack Obama. I'm calling to apologise on two fronts. One was you didn't get your question answered and I apologise. 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 apologise 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 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."

So, Obama uses 'Sweetie' with all kinds of people? Whom, exactly? Judges? Fellow US Senators? His wife and daughters? While the call was a nice gesture, one can be sure that this video will surface and resurface again and again. For those who remain unconvinced of the power of Youtube, check out this 2006 video of Republican US Senator from Virginia, George Allen, a highly offensive moment now forever crystallised, thanks to the Internet:

Ouch. That's SR Sidarth -- an Indian-American who was volunteering for the campaign of Allen's opponent -- being called 'Macaca', a derogatory term French colonisers used for Black Africans. At the time, Allen held a huge lead in his re-election campaign. But as the above video made rounds on the net, and Allen failed to articulate a reason for his word-choice, his lead crumbled, and he lost the race to Sidarth's guy, US Senator Jim Webb (who, incidentally, has been tossed around as a potential vice-presidential candidate for Barack Obama). At one point, Allen was considered the Republican Party's likely 2008 US Presidential candidate. Now? He's unelectable; following the 'Macaca' incident and 2006 loss, Allen dropped his Presidential bid, and will likely never again be elected to major office.

Obama, who fashions himself a straight-shooter and frank speaker, better sit up and pay attention. Else, a few more incidents in the same mould as 'Sweetie-Gate' will sink his Presidential ship before it ever leaves the harbour.

Photograph: Mark Wilson/Getty Images