Washington, D.C., political insiders were treated Wednesday morning to an unforgettable exchange of 19 e-mails. The players: an aide at McBee Strategic, a major lobbying firm, and one Elizabeth Becton, scheduling secretary to Rep. Jim McDermott, D-Wash.

The aide's sin: He sent an e-mail addressed to Becton as "Liz."


"Don't you Liz me," Taylor shot back, sticking a finger in the senatorial chest.

Becton is of a similar frame of mind, and without humor, according to a piece in the on-line publication Politico.

The episode began when the McBee aide, addressing Becton by her full name, tried to set up a meeting between McDermott and visiting brass from JPMorgan Chase, new owners of Washington Mutual.

He checked back some days later, and committed the unpardonable offense of beginning the e-mail with the words "Hi Liz."

"Who is Liz?" Becton replied.

The assistant apologized for the first time. But Becton shot back, "Where did you get your information?"

The electronic conversation continued. The McBee aide ended up issuing six apologies, to no avail. Becton continued to lecture him about name-calling in tones reminiscent of the high-profile Liddy and Liz.

"If I wanted you to call me by any other name, I would have offered that to you," Becton wrote. "Please do not call me by a nickname again."

"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 somethings leave my desk." (less info)