Nation & World

GOP aide resigns over criticism of Obama daughters

By MATTHEW DALY

Associated Press
President Obama, joined by his daughters Malia, right, and Sasha, center, speaks at the White House, in Washington during the presidential turkey pardon ceremony, an annual Thanksgiving tradition. Elizabeth Lauten, an aide to a Republican congressman from Tennessee, has resigned after her critical comments about President Barack Obama's daughters touched off a backlash.
President Obama, joined by his daughters Malia, right, and Sasha, center, speaks at the White House, in Washington during the presidential turkey pardon ceremony, an annual Thanksgiving tradition. Elizabeth Lauten, an aide to a Republican congressman from Tennessee, has resigned after her critical comments about President Barack Obama's daughters touched off a backlash. Jacquelyn Martin Associated Press
WASHINGTON

An aide to a Republican congressman has resigned after her critical comments about President Obama’s daughters touched off a backlash.

Elizabeth Lauten, communications director to Rep. Stephen Fincher of Tennessee, commented on Malia and Sasha Obama’s pose and dress at a White House ceremony last week in which the president pardoned a turkey. She wrote that the girls should have shown more class.

Lauten later apologized for the comments on her Facebook page that had drawn harsh criticism.

Jessica Carter, chief of staff for Fincher, said Monday that Lauten resigned. Carter had no additional comment on a personnel matter.

This story was originally published December 1, 2014 at 11:02 AM with the headline "GOP aide resigns over criticism of Obama daughters."

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