Colorado Newsday: Elizabeth Lauten calls Malia and Sasha Obama classless in Facebook post

Elizabeth Lauten calls Malia and Sasha Obama classless in Facebook post
================================================================================
Staff Writer on 29/11/2014 11:12:00


*Elizabeth Lauten, a Republican communications director, lashed out at Malia,
16, and Sasha, 13, for 'classless' clothes and sullen attitude 	*Her Facebook
post on Thanksgiving sparked outrage on social media	*Lauten claims she has
since 'prayed for hours' and apologizes 
By Mia De Graaf for MailOnline
Published:   12:17 EST, 29 November 2014   |    Updated:   13:12 EST, 29
November 2014
*     	*     	*     	*                                 	*                 	*
44
View
comments
A GOP staffer has accused First Daughters Malia and Sasha Obama of
classlessness, lashing out at their attire and attitude at the White House
turkey pardon.
The girls, aged 16 and 13, prompted playful criticism after scowling at their
father, President Barack Obama, as he gave his annual Thanksgiving address on
national television.
But Elizabeth Lauden, once a media director for the Republican National
Committee, went a step further to call the girls 'classless' and take aim at
their short skirts which 'deserve a spot at a bar'.
Scroll down for video 
Twitter abuse: Sasha, 13, (left) and Malia, 16, (right) were branded 'classless'
by a GOP staffer for their attire
Open letter: Elizabeth Lauten, communications director for Rep Stephen Fincher,
wrote this to the girls
'Dear Sasha and Malia,' she wrote on Facebook grabbed by The Root reporter
Yesha, 'I get you're both in those awful teen years, but you're a part of the
First Family, try showing a little class.'
Lauten, communications director for Rep Stephen Fincher of Tennessee, added:
'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.'
Sasha, 13, was dressed in a short maroon dress with a long cream cardigan that
matched her thick cream socks, worn over bare legs.
Reaction: They prompted soft criticism for sullenly scowling at their father,
the President, on Thanksgiving
Twitter users rushed to defend the girls who Lauten said 'deserve a spot at a
bar' rather than the White House
Unimpressed: The First Daughters looked bored and unimpressed by their father's
jokes about turkey
Clothing: Sasha wore a maroon dress and cardigan while Malia wore a mini kilt
with black tights and boots
'Awful teenage years': The cyber-bullying post addressed to the young girls said
they are at an 'awful' stage
Her sister Malia, 16, wore black tights under a mini kilt with a grey and cream
jumper.
Lauten's outburst, which also slammed Barack and Michelle Obama for failing to
be good role models, sparked outrage on Twitter.
Hours later, Lauten deleted the Facebook post, set her profile to private, and
issued an apology: 'I reacted to an article and quickly judged the two young
ladies in a way that I would never have wanted to be judged myself as a
teenager.
Apology: Hours later she removed the original outburst, issued an apology and
set her page to private
Other accusations: Lauten also took aim at Barack and Michelle Obama, saying
they 'don't respect their roles'
Her critique was in response to a national broadcast of the annual White House
turkey pardon
The national Thanksgiving turkey Cheese is seen in front of Barack Obama and his
two daughters
'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.
'Please know that these judgmental feelings truly have no pace in my heart.
'Furthermore, I'd like to apologize to all of those who I have hurt and offended
with my words, and pledge to learn and grow (and I assure you I have) from this
experience.'
Reaction: Twitter users were outraged by Lauten's attack on the young girls on
the national holiday
              Read more:
MOST WATCHED NEWS VIDEOS
MOST READ NEWS