Senator Barbara Boxer (D-California) is just a little bit full of herself.
"Ma'am" is not only a polite and respectful manner of address but it also happens to be the way female superior officers are addressed in the military. Heck, upon meeting the queen would someone say "ma'am" or would they say "queen?"
Maybe he should have pulled a Letterman and said, "Yes, Senator, and by the way that is a nice slutty stewardess look you have going today."
