Elizabeth “Don’t Call Me Liz” Becton
June 17, 2009
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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if I still lived in DC and wasn’t married, i’d end up with a chick like Liz…
This can’t be real…. what a b*tch.
Is she single? I want to meet her. badly.
I just called the office. It wasn’t pretty.
She’s about to be called far worse things. Dumb ass.
KC – what happened when you called the office?
Look-it. It’s not Suze. All right? It’s Su-sie. My name, is Su-sie!
her email address wouldn’t be…
Elizabeth.becton@mail.house.gov
would it???
Lets all call the office 206-553-7170
its been changed to meetingwithmcdermott@mail. house.gov
It looks like she’s making bank for a scheduler.
http://www.legistorm.com/person/Elizabeth_J_Becton/31855.html
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.
I know Elizabeth and she’s super nice. Everyone is entitled to a bad day.
Sweet,
People have bad days, but this was out of control.
10 – 15 email responses?
Liz Becton is just joking around. She likes to be called Liz by her friends.
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.
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
Lol, she has just caused herself a tremendous shitstorm. Deservingly though.
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?!?