Obama says 'sorry' for 'sweetie' remark

DETROIT, May 15 (UPI) -- Presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., said he was sorry for calling a Michigan reporter "sweetie" when she posed a question.

Obama came under fire for saying, "hold on, sweetie," to WXYZ reporter Peggy Agar when she asked Wednesday how he planned to "help the American auto workers," CNN reported.

Agar said Obama never got around to answering her question.

"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," Obama said in a personal voice mail to Agar.

"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," he added.

Obama was scrutinized last month for calling a factory employee "sweetie" in Pennsylvania, CNN said.