AN aide to a Republican member of Congress resigned on Monday, Dec. 1 after criticizing President Barack Obama’s daughters, who were present during last week’s Thanksgiving turkey pardoning ceremony, on Facebook.
Elizabeth Lauten, communications director for Rep. Stephen Fincer (R-Tenn.), wrote words directed toward Obama’s teenage daughters, Sasha, 13, and Malia, 16. Her post has been deleted, but was shared on various social media platforms before it was taken down.
It read:
“Dear Sasha and Malia, I get you’re both in those awful teen years, but you’re part of the First Family, try showing a little class. At least respect the part you play. Then again your mother and father don’t respect their positions very much, or the nation for that matter, so I’m guessing you’re coming up a little short in the “good role model” department. Nevertheless, stretch yourself. Rise to the occasion. Act like being in the White House matters to you. Dress like you deserve respect, not a spot at the bar. And certainly don’t make faces during televised, public events.”
Lauten received backlash after her statement went viral, including from Roy Herron, chairman of the Tennnessee Democratic Party who deemed her criticism of Sasha and Malia “cruel, outrageous and inexcusable.”
Communications Director for the Republican National Committee, Sean Spicer, went on Twitter on Monday to say, “children, especially the first daughters, are off limits.”
Lauten has since issued an apology, which she also posted on Facebook:
“When I first posted on Facebook I reacted to an article and I quickly judged the two young ladies in a way that I would never have wanted to be judged myself as a teenager. After many hours of prayer, talking to my parents, and re-reading my words online I can see more clearly just how hurtful my words were. Please know, those judgmental feelings truly have no place in my heart. Furthermore, I’d like to apologize to all of those who I have hurt and offended with my words, and I pledge to learn and grow (and I assure you I have) from this experience.”
Although Lauten has received much attention for her criticisms, she was not the first to comment on Obama’s daughters appearing bored at the Wednesday event. USA Today published a headline titled, “Malia and Sasha Obama are so done with their dad’s turkey pardon,” and the website Gawker stated that “not even the pomp and ritual of the White House can overcome the most powerful force known to man: TEEN CONTEMPT.”
Julian Zelizer, a presidential historian and professor at Princeton University, told The Washington Post that the media has generally respected efforts taken by former presidents to protect their children from making headlines.
“But in an era of Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, this stuff is just hard to control,” he told the Post.
(With reports from Associated Press, The Washington Post and UPI)
(www.asianjournal.com)
(LA Midweek December 3-5, 2014 Sec. A pg.4)
