Elizabeth Lauten: Courtesy of CNN
GOP STAFFER RESIGNS AFTER LAMBASTING OBAMA DAUGHTERS ONLINE. CNN Wire Reports
WASHINGTON — A senior Republican staffer is resigning after her comments that the Obama daughters should “try showing a little class” caused a firestorm of criticism on social media this weekend. Elizabeth Lauten, communications director for Tennessee Rep. Stephen Fincher, confirmed to CNN that she planned to resign Monday. She faced heavy backlash when she wrote a Thanksgiving-Day screed against the Obama daughters, as well as the President and first lady, on Facebook that quickly went viral across the web.
GOP Staffer Elizabeth Lauten tells NBC News she is "resigning today" following her comments about Sasha and Malia Obama
— Alex Moe (@AlexNBCNews) December 1, 2014
In it, she scolded Malia and Sasha Obama, 16 and 13 years old, respectively, for what she said was their inappropriate outfits and their bored looks during Wednesday’s turkey pardoning ceremony, which they attended alongside their father.
“Dear Sasha and Malia: I get you’re both in those awful teen years, but you’re a part of the First Family, try showing a little class. At least respect the part you play,” Lauten wrote in the post.
“Then again, your mother and father don’t respect their positions very much, or the nation for that matter,” she added. “So I’m guessing you’re coming up a little short in the ‘good role model’ department.”
Lauten went on to tell them to “stretch yourself…rise to the occasion” and “act like being in the White House matters to you.”
“Dress like you deserve respect, not a spot at a bar. And certainly don’t make faces during televised, public events,” she concluded.