Republican aide who criticised Obama's daughters resigns

Washington, Dec 2 (IANS/EFE) The Republican congressional aide who posted a Facebook message criticising the behaviour of US President Barack Obama's daughters during a White House ceremony has announced her resignation.

Elizabeth Lauten, communications director for Republican Representative Stephen Fincher of Tennessee, said on the NBC television network that her resignation is "in the works", following the controversy sparked by her comments over the weekend.

In an entry on her Facebook profile -- which immediately went viral -- Lauten said that Sasha and Malia should have shown "a little class" during the annual ceremony of pardoning turkeys before the Thanksgiving Day festivities.

"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," Lauten wrote.

"Rise to the occasion. Act like being in the White House matters to you. Dress like you deserve respect, not a spot at a bar," she said, "and certainly don't make faces during televised, public events".

Late on Saturday, hundreds of social network users tweeted that Lauten should be fired from her position, even though she had eliminated her comments on Facebook and wrote a note of apology.

The congressional aide begged pardon and said that "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."

Lauten's criticisms attracted the most attention but were not the only ones, since after the turkey-pardoning ceremony last Wednesday, several media commented on the gestures and expressions of Malia and Sasha, saying they looked "bored" and even annoyed at having to be there.

--IANS/EFE

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