Rep. Stephen Fincher’s (R-TN) communications director, Elizabeth Lauten, quit on Monday after intense blowback to her criticism of Malia and Sasha Obama at the annual Turkey Pardon ceremony, according to various reports.
In her initial remarks, Lauten advised the 16- and 13-year-old first daughters to "dress like you deserve respect, not a spot at the bar," and slammed their parents as poor role models.
"Then again, your mother and father don’t respect their positions very much, or the nation for that matter," Lauten said in a Facebook post. She later apologized, claiming she would not have appreciated that kind of scrutiny as a teenager.
"After many hours of prayer, talking to my parents, and re-reading my words online, I can see more clearly how hurtful my words were," the now-former congressional staffer wrote.
Lauten, who goes by @DCGOPGirl on Twitter, didn’t appease many social media users with her apology. On the flipside, the fact that Lauten’s comments cost her a job had conservatives saying a double standard exists.
Report: TN congressman's communications director to resign after Facebook post about Presdient Obama's daughters. #elizabethlauten
— Michael Collins (@mcollinsSCRIPPS) December 1, 2014
Chairman of TN Dem Party on Fincher aide's criticism of Obama daughters: "Unprecedented low in Washington mudslinging." #elizabethlauten
The Art Of Online Apologies And Why Elizabeth Lauten Failed Miserably At Hers http://t.co/yGFKDSyxWb via @forbes
— Andy Carvin (@acarvin) December 1, 2014
Elizabeth Lauten who said the Obama girls should dress like they deserve respect not a spot at the bar, was forced 2 quit today #ByeFelecia
— DL Hughley (@RealDLHughley) December 1, 2014
I am going to do a lunch brown bag chat on Women NOT breaking the Code against one-another. #ElizabethLauten @Joy105com join me?? 12PMET
— Sophia A. Nelson (@IAmSophiaNelson) December 1, 2014
hey, an antecedent of some sort would be really helpful. i know the story, but take that as an fyi. http://t.co/sOVTERtYze
— Bomani Jones (@bomani_jones) December 1, 2014
It was out-of-bounds 4 a GOP aide 2criticize Pres O's daughters. But it also was and is wrong for critics to go after Sarah Palin's family.
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) December 1, 2014
