Politics | Hillary Clinton Things Not to Say on the Campaign Trail 'Tar baby' to 'sweetie,' some words are candidate kryptonite By Kevin Spak Posted May 27, 2008 11:06 AM CDT Copied Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney appears at a fund raising event Friday, Sept. 28, 2007, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Douglas C. Pizac) In a year of gaffe-rich campaign speeches, Republicans in particular are worried that some errant phrase will seem racist or sexist to general-election voters. Politico helpfully catalogs the mines the candidates have already stepped on. Some phrases to avoid: “Sweetie”: Barack Obama used the endearment to address a female reporter. “Hard-working Americans, White Americans”: Hillary Clinton drew criticism for the phrase. “Tar baby”: Both Mitt Romney and Tom Davis said they didn't know the phrase is a wee bit racially charged. “Boy”: Not an inherently bad word, unless you use it condescendingly about a black candidate. “Pansy”: Considered a slur against gays, as one Clinton supporter found out the hard way. Read These Next Mark Zuckerberg's 'list' has Silicon Valley buzzing. Tillis, who opposes Trump bill, won't seek reelection. The screwworm is truly the stuff of horror films. Musk renews attack on Trump's bill. Report an error