Elizabeth Lauten, a Republican staff member, has been forced to quit her post as the communications director for Tennessee Rep. Stephen Fincher following a barrage of criticisms over her comments about the daughters of President Barack Obama.
The Chief of Staff of the Tenn. Congressman Jessica Carter confirmed the news to the press on Monday. Elizabeth Lauten told NBC earlier in the day that her resignation was impending.
There had been several criticisms and calls for Elizabeth Lauten to resign on social media after her comments about the president's daughters. Lauten criticized the girls for being inappropriately dressed and looking uninterested at the ceremonial Thanksgiving turkey pardon.
"Dear, Sasha and Malia," she wrote, "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."
She advised the girls to dress like they deserve respect and not like they want to be deemed fit to be admitted into a bar. "And certainly don't make faces during televised, public events," she wrote.
Lauten even jabbed at the president and the First Lady for respecting neither their positions nor the nation.
Since the public outcry about her comments, the former member of the Republican National Committee communication staff has rendered a public apology.
"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," she wrote on Facebook. Lauten noted that she would not have wanted to be judged as she did the Obama girls when she was a teenager. Reports have emerged that court records show Elizabeth Lauten was arrested at a Belk store in 2000, when she was just 17, for shoplifting.
Elizabeth Lauten's Legistorm page shows that she has earned up to $30,000 this year from her post as the aide to Stephen Fincher. Elizabeth Lauten is also the founder of Audeamus Communications, a public relations and communications consultancy.
