Congressional aide rips Obama kids for lack of class, then apologizes

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — An aide to a Tennessee congressman has apologized for a Facebook post criticizing President Obama's daughters.

U.S. Rep. Stephen Fincher's communications director, Elizabeth Lauten, told The Commercial Appeal (http://bit.ly/1y91o6d ) that she "can see more clearly just how hurtful my words were" about Sasha and Malia Obama.

Lauten posted on Facebook that the girls were "coming up a little short in the 'good role model' department" and needed to dress and behave more appropriately as she commented on their appearance at their father's traditional pardoning of two Thanksgiving turkeys this week.

"Dear Sasha and Malia, I get you're both in those awful teen years, but you're 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."

The original Facebook post is no longer live. But, a screenshot of the post circulated Saturday on Twitter.

Questions sent to Lauten on Saturday afternoon by The Associated Press were not immediately answered.

After the post became the topic of conversation on sites such as The Root, Gawker and Vibe, Lauten issued an apology, saying "many hours of prayer," conversations with her family and a re-reading of her words made her reconsider the post.