No name-calling (Baghdad Jim's Rude secretary)

Shenanigans (Politico.Com) ^ | 6/17/09 | Anne Schroeder

[llevrok]

If you want to score a meeting with Rep. Jim McDermott (D-Wash.), know this: His scheduler/office manager, Elizabeth Becton, is to be addressed by her full name — not Liz or any other variant.

An executive assistant at McBee Strategic recently learned this the hard way. A few weeks ago, the assistant e-mailed Becton seeking a meeting with McDermott and a client, JPMorgan Chase. Days later, the assistant checked back in and unfortunately began the e-mail with “Hi Liz.”

Becton curtly replied, “Who is Liz?”

When the assistant wrote back with an apology, Becton turned up the heat. “I do not go by Liz. Where did you get your information?” she asked.

The back-and-forth went on for 19 e-mails, with the assistant apologizing six times if she had “offended” Becton, while Becton lectured about name-calling.

Becton told the assistant that if someone said using “Liz” was acceptable, then “they are not your friend”, and “If I wanted you to call me by any other name, I would have offered that to you.” Plus, it’s “rude when people don’t even ask permission and take all sorts of liberties with your name,” she said, adding: “Please do not ever call me by a nickname again.”

But the tirade didn’t end there. Becton continued her riff — responding that the assistant “got played” by someone who was trying to “tick” Becton off. Becton’s final, searing missive stated: “In the future, you should be VERY careful about such things. People like to brag about their connections in D.C. It’s a pastime for some. It’s also dangerous to eavesdrop, as you have just found out. Quit apologizing and never call me anything but Elizabeth again. Also, make sure you correct anyone who attempts to call me by any other name but Elizabeth. Are we clear on this? Like I said, it’s a hot button for me. And please don’t call the office and not leave a message. My colleague told me you called while I was away. ... I do sometimes leave my desk.”

McDermott spokesman Mike DeCesare told us Tuesday, “An apology is being issued as we speak,” adding, “This isn’t reflective of the way we do business in this office.”

Read the saucy email exchange after the jump:

» Continue reading No name-calling

Here’s a redacted version of the exchange:

From: XXX Sent: Friday, May 22, 2009 11:38 AM To: Becton, Elizabeth Subject: JPMC Meeting Request

Elizabeth,

Attached is a meeting request for JP Morgan Chase who will be in DC June 3rd-4th and would like to request a brief meeting with the Congressman.

Let me know if you need any additional information.

Thank you!

Best, XXX

________________________________

From: XXX Sent: Wednesday, May 27, 2009 5:05 PM To: Becton, Elizabeth Subject: RE: JPMC Meeting Request

Hi Liz,

just checking in on whether the Congressman is available next week. [REDACTED] can confirm a meeting time for you - she is available at [REDACTED].

Thank you!

Best, XXX

________________________________

From: Becton, Elizabeth Sent: Wednesday, May 27, 2009 5:07 PM To: XXX Subject: RE: JPMC Meeting Request Importance: High

Who is Liz?

Elizabeth Becton Executive Assistant/Office Manager Office of Congressman Jim McDermott XXXX Longworth House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 XXX phone XXX fax ________________________________

From: XXX Sent: Wednesday, May 27, 2009 5:07 PM To: Becton, Elizabeth Subject: RE: JPMC Meeting Request

Hi Elizabeth, I thought you went by Liz - apologies if that is incorrect. Best, XXX

________________________________

From: Becton, Elizabeth Sent: Wednesday, May 27, 2009 5:08 PM To: XXX Subject: RE: JPMC Meeting Request

I do not go by Liz. Where did you get your information? ________________________________

Sent: Wednesday, May 27, 2009 5:10 PM To: Becton, Elizabeth Subject: RE: JPMC Meeting Request

Hi Elizabeth, I'm so sorry if I offended you! I thought you had gone by Liz at Potlatch, this was my mistake. Best, XXX

________________________________ From: Becton, Elizabeth Sent: Wednesday, May 27, 2009 5:11 PM To: XXX Subject: RE: JPMC Meeting Request

NEVER. I hate that name.

________________________________

From: XXX Sent: Wednesday, May 27, 2009 5:13 PM To: Becton, Elizabeth Subject: RE: JPMC Meeting Request

Hi Elizabeth, I'm so sorry if I offended you! I must have mis-heard. My mistake! Best, XX

________________________________

From: Becton, Elizabeth Sent: Wednesday, May 27, 2009 5:20 PM To: XXX Subject: RE: JPMC Meeting Request Importance: High

XXX:

If I wanted you to call me by any other name, I would have offered that to you. I think it's rude when people don't even ask permission and take all sorts of liberties with your name. This is a real sore spot with me. My name has a lot of "nicknames" which I don't use. I use either my first name or my last name because I row with a lot of other women who share the same first name. Now, please do not ever call me by a nickname again.

As for your meeting request, who is the point of contact for this meeting? If it's not you, then I need to know who because it's very time-consuming to deal with a lot of people for one meeting.

Thanks,

________________________________

From: XXX Sent: Wednesday, May 27, 2009 5:23 PM To: Becton, Elizabeth Subject: RE: JPMC Meeting Request

Hi Elizabeth, I'm so sorry I offended you! My mistake!

XXX can confirm a meeting time for you - she is available at XXX XXXX.

Thank you!

Best, XXX

________________________________ [UNRELATED EMAILS REDACTED]

From: XXX Sent: Wednesday, May 27, 2009 5:33 PM To: Becton, Elizabeth Subject: RE: JPMC Meeting Request

Of course! Again, I am sincerely sorry for offending you. I must have mis-heard and it was in no way my intention to make you upset. I always enjoy working with you and seeing you at the WSS events J

Best, XXX

________________________________

From: Becton, Elizabeth Sent: Wednesday, May 27, 2009 5:37 PM To: XXX Subject: RE: JPMC Meeting Request

Sounds like you got played by someone who KNOWS I hate that name and that it's a fast way to TICK me off. Who told you that I go by that name? They are not your friend...

________________________________

From: XXX Sent: Wednesday, May 27, 2009 5:38 PM To: Becton, Elizabeth Subject: RE: JPMC Meeting Request

Hi Elizabeth,

Again, I am sincerely sorry for offending you. I don't want to cause trouble as I clearly must have mis-heard the person at Potlatch. It was in no way my intention to make you upset.

Best, XXX

________________________________

From: Becton, Elizabeth Sent: Wednesday, May 27, 2009 5:41 PM To: XXX Subject: RE: JPMC Meeting Request Importance: High

I REALLY want to know who told you to call me that.

________________________________

From:XXX Sent: Wednesday, May 27, 2009 5:44 PM To: Becton, Elizabeth Subject: RE: JPMC Meeting Request

Hi Elizabeth, Again, I am sincerely sorry for offending you. I don't recall who I overheard. It was in no way my intention to make you upset. Best, XXX

________________________________ From: Becton, Elizabeth Sent: Wednesday, May 27, 2009 6:04 PM To: XXX Subject: RE: JPMC Meeting Request

Let me put it this way, they don't know me and perhaps they were PRETENDING to know me better than they do and pretended that I go by Liz. They did YOU a disservice.

In the future, you should be VERY careful about such things. People like to brag about their connections in DC. It's a past time for some. It's also dangerous to eaves drop, as you have just found out.

Quit apologizing and never call me anything but Elizabeth again. Also, make sure you correct anyone who attempts to call me by any other name but Elizabeth. Are we clear on this? Like I said, it's a hot button for me.

And please don't call the office and not leave a message. My colleague told me you called while I was away at the Ladies' room. I do sometimes leave my desk.

[llevrok]

The peak of congressional rudeness from an idiot's gal Friday.

[llevrok]

WA Ping

[conservative cat]

Wow. If I used the names that fit her, I would get banned. Wow.

[Texas Eagle]

"Lighten up, Frances."

[lilylangtree]

It’s a power struggle and Liz won. That’s Washington for you. Her power is with Baghdad Jim. As long as he’s in power, she stays in power. However, once Baghdad Jim loses (we hope most sincerely it happens soon), Lizard Liddy will receive her comeuppance. Tom Foley’s wife, Heather (and she’s a dragon too) controlled the parking spots. She also controlled Foley’s office. With parking at a premium, you can your booties, Heather wielded her power like Lizard Liddy. These emails weren’t about an erroneous name. It was about Lizard Lizzie exerting her power.

[If You Want It Fixed - Fix It]

I so wish I had Liz’s email. She sounds lonely.

[ExpatGator]

You can email her here:

Elizabeth.becton@mail.house.gov.

I thanked her for the laugh, and of course addressed her as Liz.

[CTyank]

“From:XXX Sent: Wednesday, May 27, 2009 5:44 PM To: Becton, Elizabeth Subject: RE: JPMC Meeting Request

Hi Elizabeth, Again, I am sincerely sorry for offending you. I don’t recall who I overheard. It was in no way my intention to make you upset. Best, XXX “

Hi Elizabeth,
Get that pole out your a** and stop being such a complete BI**H.

But I bet you secretly like that pole...

[Fiddlstix]

Suggested Response:

My Dear Ms Becton,
Please accept my apology for calling you "Liz".
Henceforth I promise I shall use your proper name
ELIZABITCH!

Yours Truly,
(XXX)

[DJ MacWoW]

As I posted on the other thread about this, she has every right to ask to be treated respectfully by someone that she doesn’t know. I am also very irritated by someone presuming intimacy when I have just met them.

She may have gone overboard but it is irritating to be addressed by your first name let alone a diminutive by someone that you don't know.

[Texas Eagle]

"No, I'm serious......and don't call me Shirley".

[astyanax]

Heard you were looking for a new consultant...
You should drop this “girl” a line. ;o)

[exit82]

Yeah, like no one has ever called her “Liz” in her life before.

She’s like her boss and her President—power drunk and thin skinned.

[PAR35]

McDermott spokesman Mike DeCesare told us Tuesday, “An apology is being issued as we speak

Sounds like Liz's boss is going to make McBee Strategic really grovel, if they want even more apologies.

[popdonnelly]

These idiots in Washington work for us and get paid by us. If they want to act like snot-nosed elitists, let them get a job somewhere else.

[Selmore]

When did, "let me perfectly clear" become a proper thing to say to someone.

I have also heard the "chosen one," President Hussein say it.

To me its pompous and obnoxious.

If someone says that to me, they will get an earful.

Thanks for email address, I addressed her as Liz, Beth, and snotty B#$%h.

[llevrok]

Hey Liz,
What’s the problem? You seem on edge about your name. Can’t handle the woman monthly stuff? C’mon, you’re not a man. So not to worry. Have a good cry. You’ll feel better.

Please remember also: both you and the Congressman work at the tax payer’s discretion and he (not you) is elected to serve the American people.

Now be a good gal Friday and get me a cup of coffee.

XXXXXX
Olympia, WA

[Atomic Vomit]

May I suggest Betty as her new nickname?

I think she’ll really like that one.

Mrs. AV

[Krankor]

Hi Liz,
Liz, I read about you and Rep. McDermott on the internet. It sounds like you’re both doing a great job, Liz. Please, Liz, keep up the good work, Liz. Thanks again, Liz.

Sincerely, Liz.

*** ******

[Fiddlstix]

She's just a typical LIB.....
Always looking for ways to be "offended".....
Libs just have to be "victims".....
It's a given.....