Republicans: Media firestorm over criticism of first daughters ‘appalling’

The media’s coverage of a controversial Facebook post by a Republican congressional aide criticizing the Obama daughters has been “appalling,” the top spokesman for the Republican National Committee (RNC) said Monday.

{mosads}Sean Spicer, the communications director for the RNC, tweeted Monday that “children, especially the first daughters, are off limits.”

But Spicer suggested the media firestorm around Elizabeth Lauten’s remarks was driven by partisanship and unfair.

“While the comments were inappropriate and insensitive, the mainstream media’s coverage of this story is appalling,” said Spicer. “In over 20 years in politics I have never seen one of the countless inappropriate comments by Democrats ever covered a fraction of this.”

Lauten, the communications director for Rep. Stephen Fincher (R-Tenn.), drew widespread criticism when she blasted Sasha and Malia Obama for their eye-rolling during the annual Thanksgiving turkey pardon.

“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,” she wrote on Facebook. “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.”

Lauten also sounded off on the first daughters’ outfits.

“Dress like you deserve respect, not a spot in a bar,” she added.

Lauten has apologized for her comments in a post to her Facebook page.

“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,” she said. “Please know, those judgmental feelings truly have no place in my heart.”