No matter which side of the political fence you fall on, if you’ve ever been the parent of a teenager, you probably had some sympathy for President Barack Obama at the annual White House “turkey pardon.” His daughters were by his side, but looking less than enthusiastic, bored, and declined to pet one of the turkeys when their dad asked them if they wanted to. It appeared that one of his daughters rolled her eyes at one point, and the other stood with her arms folded across her chest.
President Obama was cheerful and seemed immune to the typical teenage surliness, but at least one GOP Staffer gave the girls no pardon for their behavior during the turkey pardon .
Elizabeth Lauten , the communications director for Rep. Stephen Fincher (R-Tenn.), was not so easy on the girls as she rebuked them for their behavior and told them to “have some class.”
“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. At least respect the part you play. Then again your mother and father don’t respect their positions very much, or the nation for that matter, so I’m guessing you’re coming up a little short in the ‘good role model’ department. Nevertheless, stretch yourself. 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. And certainly don’t make faces during televised public events.”
Although there was no formal backlash reported for her harsh words about the President and his children, Lauten quickly recanted and apologized just hours later.
“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. 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 place 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.”
The White house gave no comment, put did pardon the turkeys, named Mac and Cheese.
[image via HuffingtonPost and AP ]
