US PRESIDENT'S DAUGHTERS RECEIVES AN APOLOGY FROM A REPUBLICAN OFFICIAL

Sasha and Malia Obama were criticised for their outfits at the annual turkey pardoning event at the White House.

Elizabeth Lauten who is the communications director for congressman Stephen Fincher, accused the US President Barack Obama's daughters of showing disrespect and also lacking class as they appear at the Thanksgiving Ceremony in short skirts.

After sharp criticism, Ms Lauten aapologized for her "hurtful words".

She had drawn attention to the short skirts worn by the Obama girls.

She had also accused the two teenagers of looking bored when they stood with their father at the traditional turkey pardoning event at the White House, when the president spared two birds from the national dinner table.

The president and Sasha (center 13 years) and Malia (right 16 years)

Her deleted post reads:

"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."

The post goes on to advise the girls to "rise to the occasion and act like being in the White House matters to you".

"Dress like you deserve respect, not a spot at a bar," she added.

'Hours of prayer'

In her apology, Ms Lauten wrote: "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.

"I'd like to apologize to all of those who I have hurt and offended with my words, and I pledge to learn and grow (and I assure you I have) from this experience."

She pointed out that she "had judged the two young ladies in a way that I would never have wanted to be judged myself as a teenager".

Sasha and Malia are among the youngest presidential children at the White House for years.

Their parents have strived to protect them from media attention as they go to school, play sports and socialize.