Elizabeth “Don’t Call Me Liz” Becton

Posted on 17. Jun, 2009 by in Front Page, Interesting, News, Politics

We understand that being a staffer on Capitol Hill means that you’re more important than everyone else, and while we hate to pile on after the whistle, what you’re about to read is the definition of terrible bedside manner …

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.

Question: Does Rep. Jim McDermott happen to sub-chair the committee on Anger Management?  If so, perhaps he could bring Liz Elizabeth for a ride-along sometime.

A big hat tip to Anne over at POLITICO for finding this sucker.

Read the entire delicious email chain here.

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19 Responses to “Elizabeth “Don’t Call Me Liz” Becton”

  1. Bradkanus

    17. Jun, 2009

    if I still lived in DC and wasn’t married, i’d end up with a chick like Liz…

  2. RT

    17. Jun, 2009

    This can’t be real…. what a b*tch.

  3. Jimbo

    17. Jun, 2009

    Is she single? I want to meet her. badly.

  4. KC

    17. Jun, 2009

    I just called the office. It wasn’t pretty.

  5. Sara

    17. Jun, 2009

    She’s about to be called far worse things. Dumb ass.

  6. to KC

    17. Jun, 2009

    KC – what happened when you called the office?

  7. Susie

    17. Jun, 2009

    Look-it. It’s not Suze. All right? It’s Su-sie. My name, is Su-sie!

  8. ed

    17. Jun, 2009

    her email address wouldn’t be…

    Elizabeth.becton@mail.house.gov

    would it???

  9. TJA2

    17. Jun, 2009

    Lets all call the office 206-553-7170

  10. Rob

    17. Jun, 2009

    its been changed to meetingwithmcdermott@mail. house.gov

  11. Jock

    17. Jun, 2009

    It looks like she’s making bank for a scheduler.

    http://www.legistorm.com/person/Elizabeth_J_Becton/31855.html

  12. KC

    17. Jun, 2009

    I asked for Liz. They said that if they were calling in reference to something “official” they could help me. If not, that I shouldn’t call back. I said, “Is Liz there.” They hung up.

  13. Sweet

    17. Jun, 2009

    I know Elizabeth and she’s super nice. Everyone is entitled to a bad day.

  14. Huh?

    17. Jun, 2009

    Sweet,

    People have bad days, but this was out of control.

    10 – 15 email responses?

  15. Notceb Zil

    17. Jun, 2009

    Liz Becton is just joking around. She likes to be called Liz by her friends.

  16. thursdaydynamo

    18. Jun, 2009

    I worked in the McDermott office for three months and I can tell you this is par for the course from Elizabeth Becton. She is batshit insane. The victim of her ravings should consider himself lucky he didn’t work under her. The people in the McDermott office are outstanding, and it’s unfortunate that their work and reputation will suffer on account of the craziest office manager on the Hill.

  17. jeanie

    18. Jun, 2009

    Actually, her office is 202-225-3106 (the 206 # listed told me that this one was correct) – I called and also sent her an email Ya know, isn’t it just so damned aggravating to have people call you Liz when they
    are just peons and well, you are so, MUCH MORE important than them and well, HOW DARE they call you that! Why, I can see why it would take 19 emails or so to clear this up with the total jerk that addressed you that way. THE NERVE!

    (put my name)
    also know as Justa-peon

    PS -

    SHAME ON YOU -
    I hope you get 8 jillion emails and calls!

    Here’s her email again:
    Elizabeth.becton@mail.house.gov

  18. Anonymous

    19. Jun, 2009

    Lol, she has just caused herself a tremendous shitstorm. Deservingly though.

  19. LanceThruster

    19. Jun, 2009

    A polite and rationale response could have resolved the issue in a single email reply. Something along the lines of, “Just so you know, I do not go by any diminutive variation of my name and prefer to be addressed as ‘Elizabeth’. Thank you for allowing me to clarify the matter.” There, ELIZABETH, was that so ****ing hard?!?