Things Not to Say on the Campaign Trail

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.